Luggage storage on short train rides

In general trains in Europe don't have "secure" luggage storage. It depends what type of train it is: if the train itself is long distance there will be usually racks above the seats for light luggage but suitcases usually have to be put on shelves at the end of the carriage (occasionally in between seats). If you're really worried about security you can often take a chain and chain them to the metal bars of the shelf, or stand over them during station stops, but people are less likely to steal the whole case than try to go through it. If the train is a local service there will sometimes be racks over the seats, but rarely anywhere specific to store large cases. Often the politest place to put them is by the doors, preferably on the side away from most of the platforms.

As Philip said, there is never any secure storage on a train. That said, it is generally not a problem. While much is written about the potential theft of luggage, it is rarely report anywhere. On dozens of train trips we place our bags in the bins by the entrance along with lots of other bags. We do use a light weight, retractable cable to hook our bags to each other or to something solid. The overhead racks by your seat will accept a carry on size bag but nothing bigger.

On all of our trains in Italy, there have been racks over the seats inside the carraiges. We use them. We will never place the luggage out of our sight. I suspect that much of the luggage theft takes place from the luggage storage areas on the ends of the train. The luggage is often stolen before your train leaves the station. On the high-speeds, the seats are back-to- back with half facing one direction and half facing the other. This creates a nice space between the seats that will permit a roller bag up to about 24" on its side. It held ours.

I've never had a problem with the luggage storage bins at the ends of cars. But that is where the biggest risk of theft is. I try to put my bags at the end which I am facing when sitting so I can see the storage area. A cable lock is a good idea, though I've never seen it in use. If you have more than one bag lock them together - it'd be tough for someone to run off with both at the same time hooked together. If there is room behind the seats that's a great place too but it usually doesn't work out so well. The main question is how many stops are there on that route? Any theft would occur at stops so if there are none or just a few, either no worry or just pay attention at each stop.

I also always use my retractable cable pack lock to secure my bags to the racks on the train. It's a tiny insurance policy that means I can rest my eyes or pop to the 'loo'.

We were on a few trains in Italy where the overhead compartment was so small, our airline friendly carryon did not fit. But we were one of the first people on the train so we placed our bags on a storage rack either on the middle of train or at the end and secured bag with strap. Did not have a problem. Once those racks were taken up, people were sitting with their huge bags in their laps.

i unfortunately am one of those people who hav ehad a bag stolen! here is what i learned from that. thieves often target what is small, easy likely to be high yield - in my case an electronics/gizmo bag. i took something out and place the bag in the overhead so i could sleep. first time i ever left out of my arms. whether its an moverhead rack or a rack in the comartment egress, a simple solution - if you're worried is to cable two larger bags together. that makes them extremey difficult. having said all that, one bag stolen out of numerous trips; one dumb move in numerous trips.

On Italian trains, I found that my RS suitcase fit behind my seat in most trains' 2nd class, but not in 1st class.