<i> Luggage on trains/security?
Posted by: topeater on May 2, 16 at 3:13pm</i>
Here is some info on train luggage, http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap17/rail.htm.

In your later post you say <i>
topeater on May 2, 16 at 6:57pm
We are flying after Amsterdam to Toulouse, so extra bag will not be a problem.</i>
An extra bag in intra-Europe flights can be very expensive.

On Dutch trains it may be worth it with luggage to pay relatively little extra to go first class where they should be empty seats to put bags on, etc. a Dutch resident suggested that first class was a good idea especially now that 2nd class was more and more full - IMO SRO sometimes. Cheapest is not always the best.

I always travel with a first-class Eurailpass (because I'm over 25 I have to buy first class) and in Holland I am always glad to be in first class after the mob scenes I have seen in 2nd class.

Thanks for the info PalenQ.

I have traveled quite a few times in Europe with a 25" suitcase and have never had a problem with it on trains. I have always had a place to put it--usually in the large luggage racks near the door, once in-between seats, as I recall, on a TGV. I've had that on Spanish and French long-distance trains. I had one just slightly smaller on Polish, Czech and German trains.

I think the luggage issue is being overblown, the OP just says a carry-on and one more piece of luggage that will be small and hold shoes and a few souvenirs. At most, that sounds like maybe a 16-18 incher.

I have always had a place to put it--usually in the large luggage racks near the door>

do keep an eye on it when the train stops in stations - rarely any problems but you never know - and leave nothing really valuable in that luggage.

I dunno. Never have had a problem on any TGV trains in France or TER or Intercités, either, but the local trains we took in the Netherlands and Belgium a few weeks ago were pretty packed and short of space for luggage. Might have been because it was spring vacation time for kids or something - I dunno, but if I hadn't just had one small 19" rollaboard it would have been a pain. Not impossible, but a pain.