Train Travel and Luggage Question

The answer is it depends on the suitcase. If you have a carry-on sized bag, more than likely it can fit on the shelf above your seat. Larger than that and there is an area for luggage at the end of each train carriage. On some trains, there is some room for a piece of luggage between seats that are back to back.

Packing for a month is the same as packing for a few days. You just do laundry along the way. I suggest you peruse this website, not just the traveler's helpline, for information on packing, doing laundry, types of luggage and train travel.

For size Cierra - as small as you can possibly travel with is really the best answer. For large bags, like Frank said there are several options.

The bigger the bag, the more likely you are to be separated from it's storage, and it's a good 2-3 feet up into most trains on narrow stairs.

Last trip, I traveled with a day pack, and a smaller than carry-on wheeled suitcase.

Your luggage size needs to be determined by your needs rather than the size you can get on a train. I see people put two or three of the largest suitcases available on a train but that doesn't mean that you should. Luggage on a train is far easier to handle than an airplane. Since most people on this site believe in traveling light most will suggest a carryon size bag either backpack style or wheel as the biggest bag you should consider.

My concern would not be on how large of a suitcase I could store in the luggage rack, rather how heavy of a load do I want to carry up and down the steps to and from the trains. Also, many train stations have long stairs up and down from the platforms.

The cars have ample storeage racks..some on both ends of the cars.

Think small and light -- lighter than you would travel here in the US. You are going to carry your suitcase down stairs to go through a subway to your platform then back up more stairs to your train platform. Then you have 2 steps or so to negotiate onto the train. Then your only option for stowing your bag may be above your head. The towns are not flat either. Unless you take a taxi, you will be going up and down to get to/from your hotel. Think really light. A 21 inch suitcase is big enough. Just plan to wash out your clothes. I read something a long time ago that has helped. Pack 2 weeks before the trip. A few days later, take out half of what you packed. A few days later, take out another half. It works. Remember -- light, really light.

I am able to fit 3 weeks of clothing into a 24 inch wheeled suitcase. I don't do laundry while overseas. Of course, I usually wear my clothes at least 2 days as long as they don't stink. Underwear is a different story, however. I usually buy new, cheap underwear in bulk packages and leave it in its packaging. As I use it, I throw it away. You would stash a suitcase this size in the rack at the end of the railcar. Try to sit close enough that you can keep an eye on it while you are in the station, or better yet, buy a cable lock and secure it to the rack.

Cierra,

It would help to have some information on the type of Suitcase you're considering? Are you used to travelling "light" or do you tend to pack everything but the kitchen sink?

You might find it very helpful to read Rick's Packing suggestions in the "Planning" section.

If you don't have a particular Suitcase in mind, you might have a look at the various models featured in the Travel Store on this website. If you'd like to consider the "one bag, travel light" concept you can also have a look at This site, This Site, OR This Site.

As the others have mentioned, luggage storage on trains varies to some extent. There's usually a rack above the seat for storage of smaller bags (keep in mind that YOU will have to lift bags so pack light). For larger luggage, there is often a larger rack at the end of the car, however you'll have to watch that closely to make sure no one "nicks" it when the train pulls into a station. If the train has only a few passengers, I often just sit my Backpack on the seat beside me.

Cheers!

Hi Cierra, After spending a month travelling by motorcoach and train in Italy I have to recommend a smaller suitcase, carry-on size if possible. Even when the motorcoach brought us to the entry of some hotels, they had no elevator and dragging large suitcases up several flights of stairs would be difficult(as we witnessed). We used a backpack style (RS Convertible) and had our hands free for holding onto stair railings and boarding and leaving trains that stop for an very short time at the smaller towns. We hand washed our light weight clothing at each hotel on the first night to give adequate drying time. I also recommend that you read the Packing Light section on this website. Packing light gave us a sense of freedom in that we could decide very quickly what to wear each day and we could move quite quickly from place to place. Have a great trip to Europe.
Sherry

As mentioned above, if you feel comfortable with it, there is a rack for large suitcases at the end of each car.

I had a smaller suitcase on wheels. Ideally, I would put it on an empty seat beside me. But more often than not, someone wants to sit there since the train is full. There's usually a rack above your head and I almost killed my back when I lifted it up there in a hurry. So as light as possible is the best rule to go by. If it's very small, you can push it under your seat but often, I find that mine didn't fit. Sometimes, I also sat awkwardly with the suitcase in front of me.

It'll vary widely. Even within the UK, there have been big differences. The Arriva trains I've been on have been great, with multi level racks. Virgin trains have had a tiny space behind the seats at the back, no rack. It's a lot of fun trying to drag your bag out from under 10 other bags.

I traveled with a 20+ kg wheelie, somewhat larger than a carryon. I also brought a bike lock, so I would have peace of mind on the train and not worry that someone was going to offload my suitcase from the luggage rack, which is invariably (and logically) right next to the doors.

Though I could probably have crammed everything into a carryon (at least when I started out) it is so much easier to pack when there is some extra room.