provision for suitcases on trains in Italy

And on many regional trains at regional stations it is a BIG step up into the train with a very inconvenient pole in the middle of the doorway. ... In case not enough folk have mentioned it ... pack light!

You won't be hurting for storage space on the Italian trains. On all trains that we have seen, there are overhead luggage racks running the length of the carriages on both sides. On the high-speeds, the seats are slightly angled and are positioned back-to-back (hard to visualize). This creates a space on the floor where a fairly good-sized roller bag can be placed sideways into the open space. On many types of trains, there are luggage storage spaces as you get on the train. I would use caution on using these areas unless you can cable lock your luggage to the rack. It is not uncommon for thieves to jump on the train and quickly remove luggage before the train departs. You don't even see it.

Thank you for that very helpful response. I also need to ask if that much luggage is a problem in taking taxi's. Do they have that much room. I seem to recall on our previous trip (guided tour, this one we are on our own)that cars are fairly small in Italy. Thanks again

chuck, as Larry mentioned, luggage isn't usually a problem on Italian trains. Where you store the luggage will depend on the circumstances at the time. Assuming you're using second class cars, if you have "open seating" there will usually be a luggage rack at one end. However, as mentioned it's a good idea to secure the luggage in some way, as the racks are often located next to the door so it's easy for thieves to grab someone's bag just before the door closes (a young Chinese couple had their bags "lifted" during one of my rail trips this year - virtually no way to recover them!). If your bags will fit onto the overhead racks, that's also a good option (not sure the 29" case will fit?). If the train is not too crowded, you can usually place your bag between the seats. I've seen some people place large wheelie bags in the aisles, but that could result in the Conductor "tearing a strip off them", as it's difficult for passengers to get by. If you're in a car with compartments (the aisle will be on one side) the room is a bit more limited but there are overhead racks and you can place the bag on the floor if the compartment isn't full. NO, checking the bags on trains in Italy is NOT an option! You might want to have a look at * www.seat61.com/Europe.htm#Luggage * for information (you'll have to cut & paste the link due to the current "technical problems" on the HelpLine). If this is your first trip to Europe (and first time using the trains) I would HIGHLY recommend pre-reading EUROPE THROUGH THE BACK DOOR, paying special attention to the "Rail Skills" chapter. You could also download the FREE PDF Rail Guide from this website (click the "Railpasses" tab at the top). I'd suggest packing LIGHT as lifting large bags off and on trains and onto luggage racks is a bit cumbersome. Happy travels!

I forgot to mention changing train platforms with a large amount of luggage. Most ugly. In stations with multiple platforms, you often will change platforms when changing trains. Tunnels run beneath and between the platforms. A few of the stations have ramps down and up. A few have elevators. But much of the time, it's 25 stairs down and 25 stairs up. You lift and carry down and you lift and carry up. With a lot of luggage, it's a hassle.

I don't need to know the answer to this (!), but a lot depends on your age and general health. Lugging luggage is hard work - Less is More. Have you traveled to Europe before? (if so, I'm guessing not on trains...)[[EDIT I forgot you've been to Italy on a tour]]......And I'm not here to beat you into submission LOL! BUT, "Since this is a month trip..." doesn't have to equal more luggage...You cannot pack too lightly for a train vacation, in particular!.....YOU are your own porter, up and down those train car aisles looking for your seat, hoisting those bags up and down the high train stairs to the platforms, up and down the staircases at the train stations (and hotels, possibly). And just as a bonus that no one cares to hear, it'll be a cold day when I leave my luggage out of sight at the end of a train car. Never gonna happen. If you're bent on taking the 29" and 25" cases, be sure they aren't too deep (thick); you can always turn the bags sideways in an overhead rack, but if they are too deep they can't fit overhead, or between the seats...The taxis should be OK if it's just the two of you.

Chuck: At the risk of berating you, I highly recommend ditching the 29" case. If you pack it well it will be unwieldy and too heavy. If you pack it lightly, the size is superfluous. Get something closer to the 25" one. Take no more than 5 changes of underwear, socks and shirts. 2 pair of pants, 2 pair shoes, one jacket - wear one set of the above and pack the rest. With your toiletries you will have plenty. My wife and I have travelled several times with this - the longest was 10 weeks, including a 10 day cruise. No one returns from a train vacation and says "I wish I had packed more!"

By my standards Iain packs pretty heavy. You really do need to rethink the luggage situation. If you could reduce to at least two carry on size rolling bags in addition to your carryons, it would be much easier for you. The fact that it is a month trip should have no bearing on the amount of luggage.

Thank you all for your very helpful suggestions. We are now in the process of thinking lighter.

Chuck, if you have not done so, please drag all that baggage around Mr. Jefferson's campus for a few days to get the " feel" of what you will face in Europe. Less is more, my friend.......have a great trip.

Something not mentioned so far is, assuming you have checked and carry on luggage, make sure the carry on can be attached to the checked baggage as it will make wheeling them a lot easier.