pineisl

If trains are for traveling why are they so anti luggage storage. I am downsizing my luggage to a 26 or maybe now a 24, but would prefer the 26. Does anyone know the width of a train aisle? And what about the depth of the overhead carpartment. The samsonite spinners will push/pull in any directions so it should go down a train easily on its side. I once did a day trip from London to Paris on the Euro Star (no luggage for me) but people in the terminal had tons of large luggage there must be some where on a train to put it. I am beginning to stress out over our 3 day trip from Paris to Bruges but I guess until we experience the adventure we wont know just what an adventure it can be. Cannot wait for the adventure to begin 3 1/2 months to go.

wilees

Long distance trains have areas at the end of each carriage to store large luggage. Very roomy just get on early enough to get some space. Overhead will probably not be big enough.
The smaller the better. More of a problem is lugging it on and off while everyone else is also trying to get off the train.

I know many people will disagree with me but I recommend buying a pack. Why?

1) easier to find spaces to put them on trains and boats etc - can usually fit in the overhead area whereas suitcases have to be at the end of the aisles in the racks. Too far away for me.
2) luggage is safer on your back and you look poorer and less of a target especially around train stations
3) encourages you to pack lighter cos you have to carry them
4) valuables are safer on your body cos thieves they have to get around all the pack straps first.
5) Easier to get on and off trains

ilovetulips

ttt

Christina

Different trains have different dimensions, but the important thing wouldn't be whether the suitcase was 24 or 26 inches, as that is the length. The important thing would be the width to get down an aisle. It's hard to say whether such a large suitcase would be necessary for you, as maybe it could be if you were traveling a very long time and need a lot of different kinds of outfits (casual vs. dressy or business). I am not a particularly light packer, and yet when I take my 25 inch, I consider that quite large. I have taken that on trains with no problem, but I think I may have had to take it sideways down the aisle on some trains. I would never try to put that in an overhead compartment, regardless, and have never had to. I have put it in the luggage storage area or, if the train wasn't that full, could have it in my compartment (on trains with 4-6 seat compartments.

The 24 inch would be preferable. In your situation, it might be better to take two pieces if you feel you need more. The second would be a large duffle bag, for examle. I always want a smaller bag for more essential stuff, or things other than clothes, anyway.

You certainly wouldn't need that large a bag for a 3-day trip, but maybe you need to take everything with you if you are moving around.

suze

I've never encountered problems once I am ON the train, but more with stairs or escaltors in the stations and those few steep, narrow steps you have to go up to board the car itself are what get me.

I agree with the suggestion above if you need more room, have two pieces that piggy-back with the bottom one on wheels. That is much easier to handle than one large case.

I found a wheeled 22" with a shoulder-strap bag resting on top of it the easiest combo for the train. Last trip graduated to a 24" with larger 2nd bag also on wheels and this was more cumbersome.

swandav2000

Hi pineisl,

Are you traveling alone? If so, can you lift your 26-inch or 24-inch from the platform up the 3 or so stairs to the train itself?

That task alone led me to downsize to a 22-incher that I can heft **easily** (I could lift the 24-incher, but after a day with 2 or 3 train connections, I was one tired & nasty-looking tourist!).

s

suze

Hmmm... In my experience women who insist they just can't help but being a heavy packer, are ones with husbands who help with the luggage!

Solo travel is the quickest way to understand the beauty of truly packing light.

Travelnut

It's easier to keep a 21"+tote with you on a train (both go overhead) than to store a large case, and have to deal with crowding around the storage area before getting off at your stop (and some stops don't stop very long!)

amelia

We prefer to travel by train than by car, and we do frequent on-offs the train. We have found that one small roll-on with one medium-size backpack is the way to go.

Here's why:

When you are scrambling for a seat--be it on a train or a bus or a metro--it's good to have one hand free.

When you are trying to exit the train steps, it's good to have one hand free.

When you find a train car with the luggage rack at the end, fine. No problem even if you have a steamer trunk (provided you got up the stairs). However, if you're on a car with no floor- or waist-height luggage storage, with a small roll-on, you are capable of hoisting it overhead without needing spinal fusion by end of trip. Your backpack can be thrown up there too or you can keep stuff it under the seat, etc.

When you are trying to get up to your sixth floor room in the teeny-tiny European elevator, you can actually fit in with your luggage!

When you are trying to walk around your teeny-tiny European hotel room, you can manage if your luggage is not the size of the bed.

If you end up renting a car, you can configure your bags into the trunk with NO problem.

Travelnut

EVERYTHING Amelia said !

Gavin

Trains are not anti luggage, it's just that you are your own luggage handler. We often travel by train with a 26 inch case and have never had any trouble with it. It always has to go at the end of the car, not overhead.

pineisl

Thanks everyone for your response. I will be traveling with my sister, so we will have to depend on each other for assistance. Our trip is 17 days long. I would love to try this packing light theory and will give it some more thought. But I know I will never get my sister to agree to give it a try, but one sensible person is better than none. Any one know the location of a laundromat in Paris? Even that could be a new experience.

WillTravel

Check www.pagesjaunes.fr and look for laundromats. There are many in Paris. Or ask your hotel.

wilees

the location of a laundromat in Paris is just around the corner from where you are staying. I kid you not. They are everywhere.

Mary_Fran

If you are dealing with only one train trip, from Paris to Bruges and back, you might have no real problems with a 26" bag, aside from wrestling it onto the train and stuffing it into a waist-high storage area near the door.

However, keep in mind that European trains tend to stop only briefly to let passengers load and unload and won't wait for you while you struggle your luggage. He who hesitates is truly lost.

I learned this the hard way on a trip to Amsterdam and Germany with my sister. Departing from Amsterdam on the train, bound for Schipol and the return plane trip home,the train stopped so briefly at Schipol that we didn't have time to get our two 22" bags from luggage storage and disembark before the train started up for the next stop, even though we had gotten up from our seats and headed for the luggage storage as soon as the train stopped. We needed to have been standing in front of the door with our luggage before the train stopped, so we could leap off at a moment's notice. We had to continue on to the next stop and catch the reverse train back to Schipol. Fortunately, we'd allowed enough slack time that we didn't miss our plane, and we weren't charged an extra fare for the return trip, but the conductor made it clear he was doing us a favor.

If I were you, I'd get the 22-incher, supplemented with a backpack and let your sister learn the hard way about her 26-incher. However, be prepared for some eye-rolling by your over-packed sister when you need to take time to visit the laundromat or have laundry hung up in your hotel room to dry.

bob_brown

I suggest reading what Swandav says.
You do indeed have to hoist all that stuff up and down. I bought my luggage based on weight. I tried one that weighed 14 pounds because of the wheels and the handle BEFORE I put anything in it!!

I hefted them all, and go the lightest one!
The airlines are going to tear up any of them anyhow, so I figured when this one gets badly damaged, I will just buy another one. I bought one expensive piece, and watched it get dinged every trip before it finally gave up. The zipper kept popping open from all the stress of having heavy luggage piled on top of it.