Graziella5b

Hi, we are taking a ROme -Florence train, second class, and
again a couple of short trips in Spain. All of them have several stops. I am always concerned with the luggage that has to be left in the racks. They are two small suitcases, one for each. Since trains stop a few times, I am always keeping and eye and it is not the greatest feeling to travel like that. What do
you, do? Any advice? Thank you.

JeanneB

I've never worried too much over it. We prefer 1st class, but still leave our bags on the racks.

You could take a bicycle lock and secure it to the rack.

PalenqueBob

Most if not nearly all of the Eurostar Italia trains do not stop between the two cities i believe...so once the door closes it won't open until SMN in Florence. these trains run at least hourly.

Dukey

Bob is correct about the Eurostar services. If you are really concerned make sure you move to the rack and secure your luggage before the train arrives in Florence.

Graziella5b

Thank you all. In Italy it will be fine because if I take an intercity or Eurostar it will not stop in between.
But in Spain I was thinking of taking first class between Madrid and Burgos, but it does stop in a few places and then the other two trains, Valladolid Salamanca they do not even have first class and stops a few times , again Salamanca Madrid is the same history.
I am not paranoic but to be looking at the luggage often seems it is sily putting the bicycle lock seems the right thing, although I never did it before.

PalenqueBob

As bike lock chains can be lightweight why not use it - you don't need some huge chain because you just want to prevent someone from slipping it out - they won't break the chain i think.

IC trains may well stop between Florence and Rome.

I usually have a first-class railpass because i'm over 26 and invariably i find empty seats and put my bags next to me. And there is ample room for normal suitcases in overhead racks by each seat usually - especially again in 1st class.

jeff001

As long as you sitting near (under is best) the rack where the bags are it is unlikely that someone could take them without your knowledge. I never worry about it.

Dukey

I trust you aren't under the (false) impression that if you traveled in First Class this wouldn't be as much of an issue.

Besides, who would be more likely perhaps to have something valuable in their bags?

PalenqueBob

Dukey - in first class i almost always put my bags on a seat next to me - in 2nd class not as possible so indeed i would say that in first class it is not as much an issue in my experience.

Graziella5b

Thank you Palenque-Bob, I guess I made a communication mistake when I said rack I was refering to the luggage rack near the entrance of each wagon. But what you told me makes sense, first class offers the possibility of keeping your luggage in the front seat, the matter in fact I had taken first class trains for instance between Lyon and Torino and you are right the wagon was empty. So I see what I shall do. To be honest I feel like a fool putting the bicycle lock.

MaureenB

Graziella, I understand your concern. Many times on the trains we've taken, the overhead racks haven't been open, so we've had to use those spaces between the cars that you refer to. I totally agree that it's risky. Anyone who had a mind to, could easily just pick up another bag and take it off with him/her. You can't easily mind your bag, when the train stops, many people are trying to exit, and you're seated. Which is worse: feeling dumb about a bike lock, or feeling dumb because your bag is gone for the rest of your trip??
>-

Graziella5b

Hi Maureen, you are right. We feel the same way except that you are wiser than me. I shall buy the lock and use it. I hope this way it will be safer.
In all the years we are traveling all over we were robbed twice once in Madrid and once in Florence and it is not a nice feeling I agree. In Madrid they punctured the tire of our rental car, and robbed everything that was in the trunk ( not that much thank you) while my husband was changing the tire, and in Firenze, ages ago, while staying at La Rezidencia in Via Tornabuoni we had two rooms , one for our children, and they got in while I was sleeping and my husband in the shower and took fortunately only travel checks.To this day I feel it was a local job.
I shall follow your good advice.

Travelnut

If I can put my bag in the overhead rack, I don't lock it to anything. If I have to leave it unattended in the storage area between cars (or at the end of a car), then I will lock it with a lightweight cable lock to the cage or a pole or something fixed. It doesn't bother me what anyone else might think about it.