Luggage Area on the Trains in Italy

Except if you had experience with Italian trains you would know that it is a problem to get a large 29" up and on an overhead rack safely. Sometimes it can be a problem just getting it into the car. If you have to have that much luggage it would be easier to handle with two carry on size bags. Also luggage storage options will vary by train. The newer coaches have more space than some of older ones.

Sometimes if you have seats, back to back, there will be a tri-angular space between the backs that allow for a good size suitcase to slide in upright. We always stored our luggage in the end bins and put the day bag overhead. Carry a small, retractable, cable lock that I use to either secure all of our bags to each other or to something solid in that area. In 300+ days of travel with a lot of train travel we have never had problems with luggage theft.

Karen most everything has been said but one other point.You not only have to get that large suitcase into the train and then store it but at many stations you have to go down a flight of steps and then back up to get to your track.Consider getting a smaller suitcase.

Karen,

With first class tickets, you'll probably be travelling with "open" airline style seating. As the others have mentioned, there's often a baggage rack at one end of the car. As this is usually adjacent to a doorway, Frank's suggestion to use a small cable lock is good, as that would make it less likely for someone to grab it quickly at one of the stations.

With compartment-style seating, there are racks above the seats, but you may have trouble hoisting a large 29" bag onto those. I've seen others just drag the luggage into the compartment and leave it on the floor between the seats. That works if there are no others in the compartment, but if the compartment is full, that's a problem.

I've also seen passengers leave "behemoth luggage" in the corridor outside the compartments, but the Conductors sometimes object to that as it impedes traffic in the corridors.

Travelling with luggage that big is going to limit your mobility on the train if you're travelling solo, as it's always a bit of a risk to go to the dining car or WC and leave the luggage behind. It might not be there when you return! I always make sure to pack something to eat and a couple of bottles of water, so I won't have to leave the luggage.

Good luck and happy travels!

Ken did remind me of two things. I secure all of our luggage whether it is overhead or in the bins at the end of the car. If I don't have a cable lock, I will secure the strap to one of the bar of the overhead. That way I can sleep, go to the WC, or get a snack and not worry about the luggage.

Second, and this in important, one of the ways we earn our reputation as ugly Americans or tourists is to put our luggage om the seat next to us or across from us. Put your luggage in the proper place. You can have a day bag in the seat next to you provided that the coach is not crowded. And pick it up when the car is loading so that someone can sit next to you if they chose.

"I am traveling with 1 large 29" suitecase"

That's your problem.