Struggling with Bags-Italy and Switzerland-trains/busses

In the sbb train app you can see a lot of detail about the trains. You can choose those that have “low-floor access” which means that the platform and train will be even with each other and you can walk right on rolling your luggage after you.

Trains differ in design, but there are luggage racks that require no lifting, spaces between sets of four seats for storage or even under your seat (for your smaller bag). It is not very often that you would need to lift your bag over your head for storage anymore. In fact on many trains this option does not even exist.

Busses have hydraulics that cause them to lower at bus stops, and over the past years they have redone the sidewalks at bus stops to be high enough so that there is little to no ‘step’ needed to get on. I see people with walkers navigating this successfully all the time.

Just a note on anyone offering to help you - this is a common occurrence here in Switzerland - people helping with luggage, or with a baby stroller, things like that. I would definitely not assume that person is looking to steal your suitcase. Of course I suppose it could happen, but it would be far more likely for a thief to grab someone’s bag when they are completely unaware, when they leave it unattended, have their back turned, things like that.

The first class trains are often less crowded and so have more room for luggage.

I'm an often solo female traveler and cannot lift my suitcase above my head to fit in the overhead rack. There are a few times where i've had to keep my suitcase with me at my seat.

Thank you for the advice. I have been using the SBB desktop site but will look for the specific information about the trains. I think it is great that people want to help in Switzerland. However, a friend of mine did have a thief "couple" help her with luggage in Italy and while they were helping her they ran off with her smaller bag and she could not chase them because she was already on the bus or train. This was in Florence. I just know that I sometimes look "weak" or "slow" and am concerned. But, being prepared with the train knowledge is good and I will do the research. Thanks!

In Milan's Central station you can book the assistance service either via app or via email: [email protected]
The request must state:
All departure, arrival and/or possible interchange stations;
The date of the journey details;
The train and/or train combination selected;
The type of assistance required (specifying whether you need a platform lift, whether you use your own wheelchair or require one provided by RFI, whether you have a companion with you, and any other useful information);
The telephone number at which you can be contacted in good time for travel arrangements, if necessary.

I am concerned about people trying to help me, sense my weakness and stealing my bags

If you suspect everybody offering help to be a potential thief there is no way to fully ease your worries. Unless you are riding the trains at 4 am , I wonder how could the thief run away unnoticed if you started screaming in the station and the people around heard you.

Thanks, Carrie. I seem to remember having a first class seat from Milan to the Cinque Terre and you are correct...that area had lots of room for luggage where I could watch it. It was like a little semi-private area. I am not sure I would be able to get a first class ticket from Milan to Bergamo. But, it is worth the cost if I can.

Can you handle a light backpack type bag? When I know I am traveling by train, or anywhere with lots of steps, I keep essentials in a convertible backpack type bag. This allows me one hand to roll/carry the roller bag and one hand for a handrail.

Recent experience with Swiss trains very positive as the train platform almost level with the train when boarding. The Italian trains are trickier when boarding and disembarking and because I struggle lifting bags overhead, so I booked Executive Class where I can keep my bags with me next to the seat. It is more expensive, but have found, unless first on the train, the luggage racks in First Class have little room available, or if there is room, one has to haul the bag up over other bags. If you are worried about your medications, would they fit into a back pack (even if for the train part only)?

While backpacks aren't my personal favorite, Carol has a good idea. 2 Roller bags is cumbersome. Find a good backup to replace your underseat roller. Choose the backpack wisely. You want a lightweight backpack with good organization and a trolley sleeve so you don't have to wear it all the time.

Rethink what and how you pack. If you can shave a few ounces here and there, next thing you know you've dropped pounds. You may even be able to downsize your larger bag.

This is all great advice, thank you so much. This is the best forum to ask about things like this. I know that most people on this forum are "carry on only" people and I WISH I could be one of those people (and admire them). I am still going to try to see if I can fit all I need into a smaller bag. I will keep trying :-).

I will look to book assistance as I do have it at the airport in some situations. Never thought about arranging it at a train station.

About the backpack, I have a lightweight backpack that I LOVE and use when shopping in a safe area but it is not theft proof. I use it to haul around groceries and store purchases that I make along with things like the book that I am reading, reading glasses, water bottle, hand sanitizer. A thief could easily cut it off and I cannot wear it in front very easily as that causes more pain than wearing it on my back.

The theft poof type backpacks that I've looked at to replace the small roller under seat bag are too heavy for me to carry the stuff I need in a carry-on bag around an airport as I need that type a bag to be on rollers. But, I might take a second look at that option.

I have been using the SBB desktop site but will look for the specific information about the trains.

On the SBB website:

• Choose your route, eg. Zürich Flughafen - Luzern
• Choose a departure time, such as the direct train leaving every hour at :15
• Scroll down and you will see a list of various information regarding that train including NF Low - floor access
• When you have a route with more trains, click on each train individually to see the info for that train

I know that most people on this forum are "carry on only" people

I'm a proud bag checker. :-)

A couple slightly off topic thoughts.

First, if dealing with bags becomes such a burden that it impacts whether you can enjoy your trip or not, it may be time to try a few alternative methods of travel. A group tour that offers porterage would mean your bags are pretty much handled for you and it might increase your sense of personal security a bit. There are many tour companies, several with reasonable prices, that could meet this need for you. A river cruise might also be a way to explore without packing/ repacking and hauling luggage.

Next, consider a luggage friendly destination, Japan. It is quite routine to ship luggage from one hotel to the next and to take the trains luggage free. I arrived at Narita, walked to the luggage shipping desk, sent my bigger bag and then proceeded to my Tokyo hotel with just my smaller carryon. Luggage was delivered promptly. You can ship luggage from hotel to hotel if desired.

Now, back on topic: Usually any place in the train car where there are tables sitting back to back, there is room between the back to back seats to slide a small suitcase. You can get it out of the way with no lifting, keep it close even mid car, and it’s a pretty discrete location. I often use this strategy.

Thank you all for taking the time to give out some thoughtful and detailed advice. You definitely inspired me to think a bit "out of the box" which is a good thing.

My lightweight "shopping" backpack will fit under my lightweight raincoat even when zipped so maybe I will put the medication and essentials in that backpack on the train journeys with luggage. I will look like I am 50 pounds heavier but I do not care as long as I stay safe and as long as no one tries to trip me up or knock me down. There are so many joys to traveling solo but also so many things to be cautious about.

A thief could easily cut it off and I cannot wear it in front very easily as that causes more pain than wearing it on my back.

While it's always prudent to be on alert while traveling, I seriously doubt you'd ever encounter such a scenario within a train station in either country. The backpack appears to be an excellent solution.

From our trip to Switzerland last month trains are quite accessible. On platforms you usually find electronic signs showing what kind of cars 1 or 2 class and whether have wheelchair or baby buggy access so you can see where on platform to stand for what you need such as no step etc. All done with pictograms so no language barrier.

Rethink what and how you pack. If you can shave a few ounces here and
there, next thing you know you've dropped pounds. You may even be able
to downsize your larger bag.

This was great advice! I have no mobility issues but would not take 2 roller bags - definitely a small backpack plus a roller bag works. I got concerned with the word 'suitcase'. Just how large is this suitcase and how much does it weigh? Sure, go ahead and check it, but you know from your travels that train travel is more onerous, certainly more difficult with a heavier / larger bag. One great place to look is under 'Packing' on the Forum, lots of great advice about how to cut back! Just an example - I fill a contact lens container with my foundation on one side, remover on the other & it lasted for over a week. I lay everything out on a table, leave it there for a few days, make sure I'm taking THE most comfortable items, walk by and REMOVE extra items as I think through my trip, & no 'what if's....

If you need help, why don't you ask someone along the way if you're concerned about being targeted? It sounds like you're being careful, good to think ahead and hope you enjoy your trip!

Here's some packing light inspiration - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/1st-time-for-carry-on-only-internationally-need-clothing-feedback

My go to when train travelling is a smallish sling bag- can be worn on back but importantly when in crowds across the front. My meds are always in there, spare spectacles and chargers. This is especially useful when going to the toilet if travelling solo. Money/cards/ passport in a very small (Muji) bag worn cross body or under a jacket. On my most recent trip, I tethered my phone for the first time. Usually to my belt loop or my wrist. I made sure it would be difficult to wrest from me by getting husband to try! Rest of luggage in a spin suitcase which I can always lift. Tho I was very often offered help (70 with grey hair!) around stairs. An extra safe guard, if someone wants to help is that you step down just in front of your bag so it gets handed down to you. The metros in Italy will possibly be the only train I would feel on high alert but again, crossed my arms across the sling bag the whole time.