About Luggage on TGV
 

We're looking at taking the train from Dijon to Paris - have the schedule & fares from the train website, but the customer info pages won't load up in English.

Can someone advise about the luggage? Are there closets or cubicles for large rolling bags that won't fit (even if we had the muscle) into overhead bins? What does the train do with travelers (we are 2) carrying 3 bags, a garment bag, two backpacks? Or are we better off keeping the rental car for that final leg of the trip?

Next - anything to know about the Dijon station (ramps, long stairs, etc) regarding our bags?

Also - any hints about getting an upper-deck seat on the train for the view? Our reservation for the lower prepaid fare indicates the lower deck.

Thanks to all for their informative posts.

there always seems to be room for whatever you can carry on but if the train originates in Dijon like i think then i'd be ready to board you car as soon as it comes to platform and throw your large stuff in the racks at either end of the car.

That said, and the train probably won't stop until Gare de Lyon i'd still rather sit within eyeshot of it - don't know if upper levels have these types of racks???

Do you mean you have three bags plus a garment bag and two backpacks? If so, I'd start by rethinking that.

You have the option of putting your bags in the overhead bins or depositing them, if there's space, in luggage racks at the end of each car.

I don't know the Dijon station, so can't comment, but it's entirely typical to have to go up or down stairs in French rail stations.

If your tickets indicate you're in the lower car, that's where you have to sit.

but if there are empty seats after departure can you think go up to seats there in the same class? Not sure but why not? Or you could simply ask the conductor when boarding - he may know if the train is full or not

but to Shclepp luggage upstairs is another hassle if you can't leave it by the gangway

The luggage racks are on both levels of double deck TGV's. There is one on each end and usually one in the middle of the car as well.

That is a lot of luggage, but if it's not a really busy time and day, there will be room somewhere, in my experience. I've never seen any overhead bins on TGVs, though.

There are certainly overhead racks on TGVs. They won't necessarily accommodate a very large piece of luggage but you could easily put the backpacks up in them.

i can see why you'd want to sit up top even though i have yet to ride these TGV Duplex trains.

but i've seen them in stations and not only is the view obviously better from up top since as i recall the lower level is sunk more than a normal train, from there you may only see windblocks and guard rails.

Not sure as i haven't taken one yet - on my 'ugent' list to do.

I've never been on a TGV that didn't have overhead luggage racks. They'll accommodate a backpack and even a 22" rolling suitcase, but not much else.

yes, they do have racks, but the poster seemed to think there were bins as that was the word used. Some folks think it is like an airplane. A bin on an airplane is completely different than the teeny little overhead rack on a TGV. They don't have bins.

I confirm that the overhead rack space is quite small.

We went through this in June on the TGV from CDG to Aix and back to Paris. My friend and I had several large bags that we put in the racks at the end of the car. I brought a long bicycle chain to secure our bags together and to the rack, so they wouldn't disappear at the stop in Lyon. We had first class tickets, prem fares, bought online three months ahead of time and sat on the upper level. It was fun but if I were you, I'd try to cut down on the amount of luggage you take. You will have a better trip even if you don't take the train!
Peg

For train travel your luggage load is beyond ridiculous. Train stops are typically 2 minutes. You will not be amusing anyone, especially yourselves, as you try to board along with dozens of other passengers.

Yes, keep the rental car for this leg of the trip.

My TGV experience is that the lower level has a great view of an embankment wizzing past at mach 5. Bring a book.