Our family of four will be traveling by train Italy in June / July. We will have 4 - 21" bags and a couple of backpacks. We will travel on ES and InterCity Trains. Where possible we will travel with first class tickets. Are luggage racks available above your seats or other parts of the train. Please advise on luggage storage. Thanks.

Yes, there are overhead luggage racks. 21" should also fit the space between the seatbacks. There's also luggage racks at the ends of the cars, but they'll be taken up by larger suitcases.

Since you have 4 people, the amount of luggage you carry is very reasonable, and will have no problem finding room.

Usually in first class there are racks for larger luggage at the end of the car and small racks overhead for smaller pieces. On the IC trains, keep an eye on the larger luggage in the racks when the train makes interim stops, especially if any distracting commotion is occurring in another area.

By luggage storage, are you asking about storing luggage at a particular station for a few hours?

RK and Jean thanks for your response. My question concerned where to place your luggage on the train when traveling. If I need to leave my luggage at the end of a train car should I be concerned about theft and purchase a lock?

On ES trains, there are luggage racks above you, which just fit a 21" bag, if I recall correctly. You can also store your luggage behind your seat (really the "triangle" between your seat and the seat behind you). There's also another luggage storage area at the ends of the train. I don't recommend this unless you're sitting close to the end of the train or have a large piece of luggage.

For InterCity trains, if you have a cabin to yourself, then you should have luggage racks above you, which should be enough for all your luggage. If you're sitting in one of those cars without a cabin, there are luggage racks on either end of the car.

Hope this helps.

ttt