No there is no checking of luggage on trains anymore in France or much of Europe like there used to be.

And you will find ample room for any luggage you can manage to struggle on board with - no limits - there are luggage racks by entrance for large pieces that don't go into the overhead racks by seats but keep your eye on them at stops - TGVs paris-st pierre-des-corps however don't stop anywhere

Gardngrl:

I went to Paris with a good friend and one of our funniest memories is her struggling with a big ole hard sided suitcase trying to get it on the train! I believe it was a 26". All I can say is: don't do it!

You only have a few minutes to board. The train pulls in, you wait for passengers to get off, everyone rushes the steps up to the train, and---voila!---before you know it the train is departing! For train travel, I'd recommend no larger than a 22" bag and a small carryon.

If you reserve a seat (peace of mind) there will be no rush for seats.
My experience has been as PQ says, plus there is an area between the front and back facing seats to store whatever.
Our bags were large and the entrance and exit to the train were the only struggling moments and certainly didn't cause us any undo stress.

"You only have a few minutes to board."

and often to get off (if you are not going to the end of the line.)
The less luggage the better!

Pack light or my guess is you'll regret it. I'm not sure why staying in Paris for the first 10 days will mean more "stuff" than 2 carry-ons will handle. Are you big shoppers? Leave the stuff in Paris and retrieve it later if that's the case.

"Since we are staying in an apartment in Paris for the first 10 days, I'm confident we'll have more "stuff" than 2 carry-ons will handle."

Not quite following - do you mean because you are buying out the city? Otherwise - an apartment for 10 days would mean I could pack really, REALLY light since I'd probably have a washer/dryer. That woul dmean lots less luggage - not more.

You can actually check luggage on the TGV now, but not as you would normally think of it: the luggage has to be picked up in advance (sometimes a day ahead) by the company. I haven't talked to anyone who's tried it, as the process isn't geared toward vacationers.

And it's not cheap either - can remember exact price but always think when i see the fee it's not affordable for me.

Think it has Sernam (SNCF deliver company i think) a private company doing it? And it must be delivered to an address i think and probably goes by freight train. But don't really know that much

My DH and I travelled by train in Germany last year, each with a 26" suitcase and had absolutely no problems. We always found a place for the luggage and we had no problems getting on or off the train. I had a purse flung around my body and he had a backpack, so both our hands were free for the suitcase. If you get to the door early before getting off, you'll be the first off no problem.

Maybe you should relook for an apartment that comes equipped with pots, pans, linens, and furniture?? LOL

Seriously, I have been on many TGVs where there was NO room for luggage when the train was full. More than once people have had to leave large suitcases in the aisles and people were literally stepping up and over them. This has mainly been on the long trips -- like Lausanne to Paris or Nice to Paris, but the overhead bins on the TGV trains do not hold large suitcases, and on a busy train those compartments at the end of the train fill up fast. Surely I'm not the only one who has seen this?
This is the reason if you train is starting at your starting part, I suggest you get there a little early so you can board the train and settle your luggage before everyone else does.

This post is making me remember the other reason we started our carry-on only policy for all travel, including Europe. It was not only the issue of waiting long periods in baggage claim and/or the possibility of lost luggage, but also train travel. I would always have the Dickens image--via Hollywood, of course--of Jacob Marley and his chains on all of our past trips, every time we got on and off of a train, back before we started packing lightly.

Since there are 25% fewer folks competing for the same amount of luggage space in first
class this is a reason that if you have loads of stuff to go first class. And IME there is likely to be empty seats in first class to accommodate luggage as well.

There's a lot more choices than either "2 carry-ons" or a "larger, hard sided piece"!

Each person take one (checked on the plane, carried onto the train) rolling suitcase ~22-24".

Couple of weeks ago we took the TGV from Paris to Avignon, then later from Avignon to CDG ... there's an open area for luggage at the entrance of your car, you stack it yourself. Also an overhead rack, but it's pretty narrow, nowhere near as deep as overheads on an airplane.

Plenty of time to load and unload, we found.

If you have a lot of luggage maybe reserve the lower level seats so you don't have to lug your bags up the stairs to the upper seats.

Bill

Certainly the less stuff you travel with, the easier it is. But unless you have some physical issue (disability, not very strong, nervous type) I wouldn't think handling a 26" suitcase would be a life-changing event. Ideally I guess we should travel only with what we can carry in our pockets.

But we've never had a problem with 26" suitcases on European trains, Venetian vaporettos, or any other form of transport. Of course it would depend on an individual's physical condition and whether or not you are an easily flustered person. Even for people who "struggle" to get their suitcases on and off a train we're not talking about hours of misery, but a few seconds or minutes of fussing about.

I sure wouldn't take a 25" suitcase, but think its possible -- just don't see why you would want to. I don't understand the apartment thing, either -- I had no more luggage the times I stayed in apts than when I didn't (I didn't rent ones with washer/dryers, so I agree that would, if anything, cut down on stuff). If you are thinking because you are in an apt you must bring recipe books, utensils, lots of condiments or who knows what, I would just try to forget those ideas in terms of not thinking of stgaying in an apt. for 10 days on vacation as the same as setting up house that you need tons of stuff.

You often have lots of time to get on TGV trains in Paris, much more than a couple minutes. I think those are the ones that originate there, not sure, but I know some of the ones I have gotten on in Paris were at the quai maybe 20-30 minutes before departure.

I agree that there are many luggage choices you haven't named. I don't travel with hardside luggage, ever, for example, there are plenty of other kinds.

PalenQ, I think you are wrong about that first class comment. All my comments about the luggage system were in First Class Cars. It seems that many first class passengers carry more luggage than the second class passerngers do. And not to sound racist, but I'm often amazed at the gigantic suitcases (often two at a time) that many, many Asians traveling in first class trains have. I'm not talking about regular intercity or other trains, but rather the special ones like TGV and Eurostar Italia.

I can't remeber the last time I traveled a TGV, Thalys, or Eurostar (Italia) major route that wasn't fully booked in first class (admittedly I'm usually traveling in the very busy summer season). You should have seen the mess in First class two weeks ago on our Eurostar from Rome to Venice. The first leg was fine, but at Florence the train was packed -- in fact there was quite a scene from one couple who had gotten on in Rome without a reservation, paid their fine, and then had no seats at all from Florence to Venice. And luggage -- you can't imagine!

I don't mean to make a huge issue of this. I still don't find traveling with luggage on trains a big issue, but I just don't get it when people say there is lots of room for luggage -- on the deluxe first class long distance trains, that has rarely been true in my experience.

Patrick: intersting point - first class folks could well indeed carry more, much more - never dawned on me but makes sense.

I have been on many TGV trains in 1st class that were not fully booked and there were empty seats but i haven't ridden many in past few years and i think sncf is filling empty seats with its PREM fares so empty seats are becoming a thing of the past perhaps. Ditto Trenitalia and ES trains.

Good point and i'll be checking on my next trip to see if in fact 1st class travelers carry more luggage, again which makes sense to me and i have seen the type of travelers carrying on an unfathomable amount of luggage like they're moving from New Delhi to Europe

When we took Italian and French trains last May, I was traveling with one large rolling bag, and I was really wishing I had two smaller bags instead. It is a soft-sided bag, which I had stuffed and it was really wide. On one train it had to sit in the aisle and everytime the train stopped, I had to move it into the compartment so people could pass by. It was a pain and it irritated the other travelers.

I'd advise two medium bags vs. one huge bag.

compartment?
I have been assuming that grdngrl was travelling from Paris to Loire on the TGV.
Are there compartments on trains for this sort of trip. We travelled from Paris to Lyon (a similar sort of trip?) and the First class was simply cars with one fewer seats across and perhaps fewer rows.
BTW - day we travelled (Admittedly May 1) we and another couple were the only ones on the car.Twenty minutes out of Paris the conductor had a seat, put up his feet, removed his hat and went to sleep.

Some TGVS at least have Bureau Compartments mainly for business types i believe in first class - these - perhaps called Club compartments or some such thing and you could have sat in one of those.

Most modern high-speed trains are mainly open seating now with the exception of some family compartments and such business oriented club compartments.

Yet lots of mainline trains in Europe still have the traditional compartments that have largely vanished from high-speed trains - probably because they can get more seats in the same space.

I have to admit I don't remember exactly which train we were on that had the compartment. It could have been Venice- Santa Margherita Ligure, or Santa Margherita Ligure-Nice. It must not have been a EuroStar, because it did stop very often, thus my problem of being in people's way as they tried to enter and exit.

In any event, the other trains we took were Italian Eurostar, and I was struggling with my huge bag. Just lifting it up into the luggage racks was a pain. Going up and down the multiple stairwells was also a problem.

My point is that, having two bags would have been less problem, I think. At least I would have been more balanced!

"Overhead rack but pretty narrow"

I'm traveling on the TGV from Paris to Aix with a 22in rolling suitcase. Would it fit in the overhead rack?

I was going to comment on the 1st class comment as well. I've found that even in the off-season we had some trouble finding space for our one suitcase a piece near our seats. The overhead is tall enough for your 22" carry on even if it's overstuffed.

Luggage Delivery System:
I just looked this up and here is what it says...

"SNCF will pick up your luggage at your hotel in Paris in the morning before check out and deliver it to your hotel in Nice [I would presume elsewhere but it may be worth a phone call to check], where it will be awaiting your arrival. The cost is €15 for the first bag, and €10 for each of two additional bags, with a maximum of three bags per person."

SNCF Luggage Delivery Service (tel. 08-03-84-58-45).

Now I don't know about you but, in the grand scheme of things, that price doesn't look exorbitant to me and it DOES look to be geared to vacationers.
Assume 4 pieces of luggage for 2 people - €50... hotel to hotel.
Take the Metro instead of a taxi....
Solves a lot of problems.

As many have already said -- travel with the LIGHTEST, SMALLEST SUITCASES you can.
I never have back problems until I travelled with a small, but heavy suitcase, lugging it around train stations, lifting up on overheads while traveling.... I eventlually had surgery to correct BACK PROBLEMS.

I can't say what the train will be like from Paris to Aix, but the last couple times I took a TGV train in France (last year), there was no room on the overhead racks for anything but tote bags and day packs. Perhaps an 18" suitcase would fit, but I'm not even sure about that. A 22" would not. They didn't seem to be making them for regular luggage any more, only the equivalent of "carry ons". You had to put your luggage at the place at the end of the car, and then there was another big space in-between a couple rows of seats for more. There was plenty of room for everyone, but the car wasn't completely fully, actually. I think it would have been tough if everyone in that car had had even one suitcase.

I thought this was unusual compared to some years ago when you always could put a 22" suitcase on an overhead rack in TGVs (or you'd be in one of those compartment things in first class). Often there isn't a problem in first class because it isn't full and so you can just keep the bag next to you if you are in a row with two seats, for example.

I've been on French trains that weren't completely full in first class just last year.

This is also my experience with first class on TGVs - i've often seen some empty seats and these act to relieve the luggage congestion problem a lot.

If loads of luggage go first class IME

PQ - the lack of response since the original post has convinced me that grdngirl has already left on her trip, solved the problem or just doesn't really care

balletgirl - I'm traveling on the TGV from Paris to Aix with a 22in rolling suitcase. Would it fit in the overhead rack?

No way ... maybe room for a laptop case in the overhead but that's about it.

Is this in an ES train? If so, my Mom's suitcase was much larger than a 22in and it fit in the overhead.

Our 21" rollies fit on the ledge above the seats on the Thalys...

Is this in an ES train?

Sandi, I was describing the overhead space on the TGV from Paris to Avignon and Aix ... enough room for a briefcase or laptop, not enough for a suitcase, at least on the train we traveled on 3 weeks or so ago.

there's always room for a 22' suticase - on your lap!

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I'll report back on if the TGV had room overhead or not. I'll plan for putting it in the luggage area.

PalenQ:
"...there's always room for a 22' suticase - on your lap!"

But wouldn't that make it.....a laptop?!
And everyone has said laptops fit overhead.

Sorry. Circular thinking.

not a 22 foot laptop - should have said 22"

All the description I was making the other day proved to be an omen. When we boarded our Thalys train first class from Amsterdam to Paris on Tuesday, I was even more shocked. The luggage rack at the end of our car literally held three - count 'em, three -- suitcases and was already filled. Fortunately the overheads are large and held a lot, but by the time we reached Brussels, people had luggage everywhere, aisles, seats, etc.

NeoPatrick

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=35034274

The point that is clear is that you should arrive at the platform early, look at the Composition of Trains diagram, spot where you car will come in and hop on quickly to stake out the best luggage space.

And on trains like Thalys that often will be sitting there, or the origin station, a long time early arrivals will have the first crack.

Last minute boarders could have problems it seems

When we took the train from Amsterdam to Paris on June 24 there was room in second class for my 29 inch hard sider with wheels and my wife's 22 inch carryon. Yes, that was 29 inch and, yes, the train was full and, yes, my wife uses a cane.

well that's been my experience on the zillions of trains i've taken usually but since several folks above say they had trouble i'd still say arrive early if the train is originating in that city and be ready to board asap if it's stopping en route.

PalenQ, did I suggest you shouldn't arrive early or board ASAP? I related my experience.

Obviously, it doesn't mean anything compared to your "zillions" of train trips which apparently overrides anyone else's experience.

BTW, tomorrow's my birthday. I expect there will be a thread started so I can be properly appreciative.

jsmith - i was agreeing with you! That your experience was the same as mine, yes on zillions of trips i've never seen a major problem with baggage.

??? Happy birthday

jsmith - we wouldn't want to ignore you on your b'day

Happy Birthday

PalenQ, I guess you haven't done the Thalys from Amsterdam to Paris. I've done it before and they set out flags marking the position of the cars. Not this time and there is no composition board. Several were even asking the platform conductors which end would be first class, but there was no answer. The train only arrived about 6 minutes before departure, with everyone trying to pass each other on the narrow platform to get to the right cars, it was a bit of chaos. Anyway, as I said, we had no problem, it was the ones who got on at later stops, who had no place for luggage.

No i haven't recently. It seems Thalys would have a better system than the chaotic boarding system - if they are trying to move business types off airplanes this is not the way to do it.

In Paris i believe you have to check in first with a Thalys person on the platform who then tells you where the car is.

Amsterdam Centraal is undergoing a big renovation and things like trains coming in on the right track may be the problem with not having the composition board which they used to have.

If you are travelling on a Duplex TGV, forget about the overhead racks - they can't accomodate anything else than a coat.

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/fr/electric/emu/TGV/Duplex/cab%2Binterior/duplex2haut.jpg

Do you think my 22inch suitcase would fit UNDER the seat? From the picture, it looks like it might.

do you mean so that the passenger sitting behind you has no place for their feet?

PalenQ, I apologize for misinterpreting your comment.

PalenQ:
Didn't think about THAT! I'm so used to airplane travel where no one has leg room. Okay, my suitcase will be back in the luggage area. Thanks for pointing out what should have be obvious!

Sorry I haven't replied to all of your comments--I just realized I had to double click on my name at the top of the screen rather than typing it in the search box. What I derive from this is that we should carry 2 soft sided pieces and that congestion may be a problem. Thanks everyone. I'll let you know how it goes---mid September trip.

Call me chickngrl, we just rented a car.

some of the tiniest cars may also have trouble accommodating large suitcases in the trunk, where you should put them when parking your car.

Funny, for me I'd be more scared of driving... than toting my suitcase on a train!