Suitcase on Metro Train London
 

Hi Guys,
I will be leaving shortly for Europe. Five days in London and twelve days in Paris. I have one 28 inch suitcase. I will take the Metro from Heathrow to the hotel which is a three minute walk from Victoria station. Is this suitcase to large to bring on the Metro? Does the Metro trains have overhead bins? I live in Chicago and ride both the Metra(Suburbs)and the CTA(City). Our suburban trains have space for luggage but the CTA does not. If the train is not crowded than, is it okay to have your luggage next to you. Of course it can not block the aisle or take up a seat. I will be arriving in London on a Monday morning around 7:30 A.M. Are the trains crowded with commuters going to work during that hour?

Hi

My wife and myself have travelled a bit and we have brought along big Samsonite suitcases. We have taken the metro/subway in places like London, Paris, Tokyo etc. You will always find a place to put your suitcase even if it is crowded. Just stand with the suitcase near the doors on the metro train. Have a great trip.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Hi

By the way My wife and I went to Paris in April and I have posted a trip report with pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm . Maybe you can find some useful info there :d

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

The underground (subway) in London is great - but it does not have luggage spaces at the end of cars, nor racks above. You will need to keep your suitcase right next to you. A 28 inch suitcase is VERY large and will be extremely heavy for the tube. For instance when you get to Victoria Station you will have to climb some very crowded stairs w/ folks rushing up and down both sides - all while dragging the bag behind you.

The easiest tube trip from LHR to Victoria is to change at Hammarsmith to a district line train to Victoria. That way there is no long walk or stairs/escalators at your transfer. But that doesn't solve the Victoria stairs problem.

I would <u>strongly</u> suggest you bring a smaller suitcase.

That should be Hammersmith . . .

Yes of course the tube (not metro) will be full of commuters then.I'd hang around the airport for an hour or so (have breakfast there? Hit a cafe with a newspaper?) and come to London slightly later to miss the rush hour. It's going to be extremely difficult in rush hour with a big suitcase.

...and everyone in the carriage will seethe with hatred for you...

I've ridden the Picadilly Line a lot and there is almost always someone with a big suitcase, often a local on his or her way to or from Heathrow. I've never noticed anyone &quot;seething&quot; about it, but then those Brits can be pretty good at hiding their feelings. Frankly if the tube and the transfer of lines works for you, I wouldn't give a second thought to the suitcase (assuming you can manage the stairs with it). Just keep it out of the main aisle or ride standing up straddling the thing.

You'll have no problem getting onto the train, because Heathrow is at the end of the line. The Piccadilly line trains do have a little more space for luggage, at the expense of seats, but as mentioned above, don't contemplate leaving it unattended at any time.

Yes, the train will be bloody crowded by the time you get into London. The advice to change to the District line is good, but IIRC the easiest place to do so is actually Gloucester Road?

No, not Gloucester Road, there are stairs. At Hammersmith, you only have to cross the platform.

Barons Court is also good.

p.s. I use this line every day - I seethe.

and everyone in the carriage will seethe with hatred for you....&quot;

I disagree with what I hope is a somewhat tongue-in-cheek statement...there may very well be others with suitcases on the Tube along with you.

As long as you aren't blocking exits or taking up seat room nobody is going to be hating you.

Before you decide on taking that super-sized bag - fill it (don't cheat, really fill it) and walk around the block (it probably has wheels so this part shouldn't be a problem) and then walk up two flights of stairs.

If you can manage - you are good to go. The tube in from LHR is fine - but schlepping a really large suitcase often isn't.

On underground trains from Heathrow, the rear carriage is often full of airline passengers with luggage, but there is normally plenty of room at the front of the train. If you are catching a train at a busy time, I'd suggest going along the platform to the front of the train where there is always more room. If you have to miss one train because of this, it doesn't matter because they run about every five minutes. Change at Hammersmith or Barons Court where you have to walk about two yards from one side of the platform to the other to get a District Line train.

When does the rush hour begin and end in Paris?