Hello

We will be taking the high speed train from Naples to Rome. I've read that it is important to stay close to luggage on trains in Italy and would appreciate comments from those with experience in this area. And some questions:

Can I keep larger bags near my reserved seat or do they go in some luggage area in the train car?

Is there a way to see where a reserved seat is located on an Italian train, similar to seating diagrams for airlines?

Can I select specific seats if I make my reservations on the Trenitalia web site?

Thanks for all advice.

Ray

Ordinary luggage goes in the overhead luggage racks that run along both sides of the train car. Larger luggage can be stored in large racks by the car entrance's - some folks bring a small lock to secure it to the rack's sides but on a high-speed Rome to Naples train it is likely that the train will not stop anywhere en route - but when it gets near Naples then i'd retrieve the bag before the doorways get mobbed with departing passengers. Often you can eyeball these large luggage racks from your seat. And if you have a reserved seat, required before boarding, if there are empty seats you are free to relocated.

First class has more room for luggage since there are 25% or so less seats in the same size train car - and you are more likely to find empty seats near you IME to put your larger luggage in.

Your main problems with fears of baggage theft may increase once you get off the train - just ignore anyone coming up to you offering to do whatever and move on.

supposedly on trenitalia.com you can select your seat but i do not know the details.

There will be overhead racks above the seats but you can probably only safely put a 22" or possibly a 24" on them. I had a 21" and it fit nicely on the overhead rack. There are luggage shelves at the beginning of the car for larger bags. If you have to leave luggage at the end of the car you can get up just before the train stops and stand near your luggage to watch it. Just don't impede people trying to get off the train.

There will be a board at the beginning of the track showing the composition of the train cars and seats so you can get on at the appropriate car and not walk through the entire train looking for your seats. I've only bought tickets in Italy so can't comment on seeing seating diagram from the web site.

You can select specific seating, but if you aren't familiar with seating number layout you might not pick seats together. The numbering system is odd on Trenitalia. Also, most people can't get their US credit cards to work online with Trenitalia so can't purchase through them.

Your luggage goes at the end of the car on AV/ES trains. There is some overhead space and sometimes there is room behind the seats to slide a suitcase in. The fast trains don't stop between Rome and Naples so it's not like someone is going to get on at a stop and grab your luggage. If you are worried about someone opening it while traveling, then take a luggage lock.

Please don't get up just before the train stops to grab your stuff from the racks at the end of the carriage - you'll be holding up all the people who have hand luggage only, or no luggage at all. It's very inconsiderate.

The chances of anyone pinching your massive, heavy suitcase then disappearing before you have a chance to notice is very small, and you can easily keep an eye on the racks from your seat. Better still, take a small enough bag to fit the overhead shelves or racks.

Hey, those people with hand luggage only need to get OUT of their seats and get to the door FIRST if they want to get off first..it is very INCONSIDERATE to hold up the rest of us, also..so please get real

The point is that the luggage racks are right at the end of the carriage by the doors, so that when people leap up to get their suitcases, they make everyone who is ready to get straight off wait while they unload their stuff - blocking the exit for everyone else for a long period even though they themselves aren't ready to depart. yes, I call that inconsiderate

It's like standing right in shop doorway on your mobile, or waiting for your family there before going in. You don't want to use the door right that second, but you're stopping anyone else who might want to. (But then, judging from the tone of your post, you'd probably do that as well.....)

do as the Italians do - or don't i guess is RM's advice - good advice i agree.

Well the reason i mention getting your luggage before the mobs appear at the door is that when it's too crowded to make your way there someone can easily just hop on and take your big bags off.... and into the crowded Naples station. Rumors at least have this happening on occasion - even with fake porters wearing official looking hats, etc. I'd bring a simple chain and lock if worried.

Hi RC,

I also worried about someone stealing our luggage from the train, until I actually did several weeks traveling by train in different countries - including Venice -> Florence -> Naples -> Rome.

I have a brand-new, never-used, perfectly good, bicycle lock and chain that I am willing to sell for what it cost me, plus S&H.

Don't worry. Have a nice visit.

Yes Ira the lock is more for peace of mind than any other reason IME - i never use one but still watch the luggage rack if i have a bag there when folks get on and off.

They DO steal bags on trains sometimes but it's a long-shot i agree. Yet for Nervous Nellies a cheap lock may be priceless.

In some of the ES trains you can put larger luggage "behind" your seat, thus in-between the seats. Some folks do use the locks, but know that the trains do not stop for long at the "in-between" stops on a route... so you better have your luggage UNLOCKED before the train comes to a stop. This link might help, as it has some pictures of the inside of trains in Italy: http://www.roninrome.com/2009/03/10/...ains-in-italy/