Can I carry big bags when I travel by train inside europe? is there enough room in train?

Question

me and my family will have xmas vacation in europe we will visit much schengen states by train I wonder if there is a room for our bags(each adult have a big bag laptop cameras etc..) should I pay for that or it is normal and is there much room available for each passenger

Answer 1

If you got a lot of luggage the conductor can kick you off the train.



Modern trains in Europe are optimised to have a lot of seats. While there are places to store big bags, these are often not large enough. Many people travelling on trains are travelling to and from work, are business travellers or are going away for a weekend to see friends and family. These people have small bags and suitcases, not big ones and thus the storage space can be relatively small. There is storage space for big bags at the end of cars or between seats or in the bicycle compartment, but you all might end up being separated from each other or standing if you take very big bags.



If your bag gets in the way of other passengers (this is especially a problem on sleeper trains) the conductor will try to help you, but if you simply got too much you can find yourself back on platform.



I saw that happening to an American woman who had two really big suitcases and a large duffel bag. She could hardly lift her bags. The suitcases were rolling uprights, quite tall (29 in or 80 cm in height) and very thick. She tried to take everything on a German sleeper, but there was simply no place to store her bags. The conductor told her that she could place the bags on her bed and then she could sit in the dining car, but she refused. She insisted upon placing everything in the gangway, blocking the exit - and got kicked off the train.



I strongly recommend that you travel as light as possible, it makes it a lot easier for you. Read the advice Rick Steves' wrote for US-Americans travelling to Europe (the people who are notorious for having gigantic suitcases) and follow it.



http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/packlight.htm

Answer 2

You can take a couple of big bags on board and mostly you can even find space to store them, but you will have no help with getting them on and off the train, porters are (almost) non existent.



As a good rule, nobody should have more luggage than you can walk around with, without help. (I mean, lifting and walking for a few meters at least.)

I have never found any train in Europe that has a luggage service, paid or free, so even when you are willing to pay, you can not get your luggage taken on the same train as you when you travel.

In some countries you could/can send your luggage while you are on an other train, but I have not seen this advertised in a long time, so do not bet on it.

Even luggage carts on the platforms are rare, often there are non.



Most long distance trains have plenty of luggage space, between seat backs, under seats, in racks at the end of the carriage, and sometimes also in racks above your head.

In local trains you may have to sit at the end of the carriage, in the space meant for people traveling with a bike, as there is extra luggage space there.

There is no charge for luggage on the trains, also not if you bring a lot.

Answer 3

It all depends on where you're traveling to, the type of train etc...But most of the time there's room above your head to put your luggage and sometimes there's space at the end of each carriage. If you sit close to the doors and the trains not crowded, you can put your luggage in that space. It's normal for people to use the trains when they go on vacation here, so no ones going to have a problem with you taking your bags on board.