We are travelling by train a lot. Will the hotels transport luggage to the next city, ie: Rome to Florence, so we do not have to lug it all to the train?
Any input or info is greatly appreciated

I have never heard that a hotel will do this although I may be wrong.
Whenever we have traveled by train (other than day trips), we have had to haul our own luggage, not only to the train, but up into the train as well. I have finally learned to use a small suitcase and pack only half of what I used to! While this is not encouraging, I hope it helps.

I have never heard of this either. If your budget allows it, you might consider hiring a driver to take you - and your luggage - from city to city.

wbaumert1, would an American hotel transport your luggage from one city to the next? Never heard of any hotel in the world offering this service, even if you were staying at different hotels from the same chain.

You have a couple of other options besides hiring a private driver. You can sign on for a tour, which will usually handle all your luggage during transfers, or you can simply pack lighter and be more mobile.

I have never heard of this either. Great concept but I don't think a reality unfortunately (hey this could be a great new business idea).

Perhaps if you are returning to any of the hotels you could leave some of your luggage behind. We did this in Rome as we were returning to this hotel on our way home and were able to leave a lot of stuff we knew we wouldn't need (ie. really warm clothes we'd needed in the UK). Made travelling on the train a lot easier to only haul one suitcase instead of 2.

Perhaps you could organise a courier to do the transporting yourself but I really think you could be courting disaster here and honestly it is not that hard to carry it yourself on the trains unless of course you are taking ridiculous amounts of luggage with you.

Take my advise and travel light..bring only the necessities, lugging baggages up and down the train's stations is not fun..I did that this past summer in Europe.. and Never Again... the next time I will be a Smart traveller, and bring only what I real need.
Buon viaggio,

Hello,

I haven't heard of this type of service either in my many visits and my two residences in Europe.

I definitely agree with the idea of packing lightly. It is not the most sophisticated look, but I have a nice-sized suitcase with wheels and I can do 7-10 days in Europe with the contents of that suitcase. Lots of mix and match, cottons and other materials that don't wrinkle with shoes that go with several different outfits. Europe is very casual, except for churches and the most formal restaurants, so do keep the idea of washing a few items in the bathroom sink to keep you for a trip to Europe.

Best Regards,
Julia Elzie
Cruising Co Etc

I believe that there is such a service in Switzerland but not operated by the hotels.

Will you be taking taxis? Have first class tickets? This could make a difference in your decision. You still have to get it up and down in the hotel to your room. I have never used first class train travel but I understand they handle your baggage for you.

Hi,

Travel light and use a good backpack. I've been a backpack convert since our backpacking trip around Europe 5 years ago. Now I take it everywhere. If you buy a good one (you'll know a good one - make sure you try them on befor eyou buy, with weights in them) it distributes the weight well around your hips and legs and you only use your shoulders to keep the bag vertical against your back.

I find those wheelie bags just cumbersome for travel. I use them if I was going for work but otherwise, definitely backpacks. Easier to navigate crowds, stairs and you can run for things (like trains). And I find the constant vibration to the arm (esp. when wheeling on cobblestones) annoying.

Hence, my two cents.