How do you keep luggage safe on a European train?
People will put their luggage in the dedicated luggage racks at disposal in all wagons of the train. For small items, you can put them under your seats and upper heads. If you plan on travelling with 2 large suitcases per person.
If possible, try to secure the bag with a lock or cable tie so that it cannot easily be taken away from you. Additionally, if there is space available for storage above or below the seat, use it!
You will find different options to choose from, that offer more or less flexibility or safety for your belongings. Two main options are available to you : luggage lockers in airports and train station and luggage storage service offered by companies like NannyBag or Stasher.
Trains either have overhead storage racks throughout the car, storage room behind the back of your seat or luggage areas at the end of the car. According to the GTC-CIV (General Terms and Conditions for the International Carriage of Passengers by Rail), passengers can take a maximum of three items of luggage.
Luggage theft on trains is as rare as theft of airline baggage, just use common sense. Put your bags where you can see them from your seat, ideally on the racks directly above your head or on floor-standing racks inside the seating area close to your seat.
- Dedicated luggage areas. For larger suitcases that won't fit overhead (not exceeding 30 x 70 x 90 cm), we have luggage areas near the internal doors on each carriage.
- Overhead luggage racks. ...
- Beneath your seat. ...
- Consider other passengers.
Personal items such as a small bag or backpack must fit under the seat. Carry-on bags must be kept with you, and need to fit in the overhead racks or luggage tower.
Luggage Storage
Off the train, almost all of Europe's larger stations will have left luggage lockers or even staffed luggage offices. These are perfect for passengers with long connection times between trains. Drop your bags off, collect your left luggage ticket or key and return to collect your items later.
Claims for lost checked baggage must be submitted within 30 days of the date of the incident to the Office of Customer Relations (Attn: Baggage Claims, Amtrak, 1 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001). For more information, call us at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) and ask for Customer Relations.
In general, spaces are a lot smaller, the infrastructure isn't very suitcase friendly and if you're backpacking, you'll probably be flying with a lot of low-cost airlines or taking the train or a bus. All this is what makes travel backpacks the ideal packing method for a European vacation.
How do I not lose my luggage in Europe?
- Remove old airline tags and stickers. ...
- Pack essentials in your carry-on. ...
- Get a distinct luggage tag. ...
- Keep your info inside your luggage too! ...
- Get a smart luggage tag. ...
- Remove loose straps from your bags. ...
- Take a photo of your luggage. ...
- Check-in early.
A sturdy combination lock or one with a built-in alarm will offer extra reassurance – and peace of mind – when travelling with valuable items. Locks are convenient when leaving luggage in hotels or storage rooms. Having a quick 'look-see' of an open suitcase is much easier than breaking one open.
There are usually compartments with couchettes for 4 or 6 people. Washrooms and toilets are located at the end of each car.
Seat reservations aren't included in your Eurail Pass, but for a small fee they guarantee you a comfy seat on busy routes across Europe.
Checked baggage service is available at a number of our stations and on many trains and Thruway Services. Not all trains or locations are equipped to handle checked baggage. Before you travel, make sure to check and see if your train and origin and destination stations accept checked baggage.
According to a 2022 report on Railway Safety and Interoperability in the EU, railways in Europe remain “among the safest in the world” with major accidents involving five or more fatalities becoming “increasingly rare”.
Protective covers.
These accessories reduce the odds of plain old damage, and they might also make the bag less tempting to thieves—although keep in mind that they're not impregnable.
Airlines are legally required to offer compensation for luggage contents when they lose your bag, and they must refund any baggage fees you paid.
The following items are prohibited onboard the train: non-service animals, firearms and ammunition, hover boards, corrosive or dangerous chemicals and materials, incendiaries, martial arts and self-defense items, archery equipment, devices containing propellants, sharp objects, and similar items.
Passengers with an adult ticket can take a maximum of two bags (up to 85cm long) including rucksacks, suitcases or ski equipment and one small item of hand luggage. Child passengers (4-11 year olds) can travel with a maximum of one bag (up to 85cm long) and one piece of hand luggage.
How big of a suitcase can you take on a train?
one personal item, 25 lbs. (12 kg) and 14 x 11 x 7 inches. two carry-on items, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each (Pacific Surfliner: up to 28 x 22 x 11 inches each)
A porter is someone who carries luggage for tourists. If you ever travel by train across the country, you'll be grateful to the porter. The person at an airport, train station, or hotel who's paid to help with your luggage is a porter.
Perishable items such as meat, fish and dairy products. E-scooters and hoverboards including transport of their associated batteries.
Overnight trains might sound dangerous, but they're typically just as safe as traveling in the day. If you're lucky, you'll be able to buy a ticket for a train with a sleeper carriage.
According to a recent report from the Department of Transportation, the number of delayed or lost bags rose to six out of 1,000 bags in February, up from five out of 1,000 the same time last year, showing that as more people travel, baggage theft is rising.