TGV - how hard is it getting luggage to upper level of train?
Feb 21st, 2011, 10:01 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
TGV - how hard is it getting luggage to upper level of train?
I have booked a seat on the TGV from Paris to Avignon, and selected the haute level to enjoy the view. I am now concerned, however, that not being as spry as I used to be, and traveling alone, it will be too hard to get my luggage up there. I have looked at the pictures on Seat 61 of the seating arrangements but didn't see any pictures of the stairs. Are they circular like on a double decker bus? Are they steep? I will have a roller bag, plus a carry on bag and purse. I usually "bump" the roller bag up or down stairs when necessary, dragging it behind me. Will I be able to do this on the train? If a switch to the lower level of the train, will I lose much of the view? Thanks for your thoughts - it is better to be prepared.
Feb 21st, 2011, 10:07 AM
#2
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,295
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The stairs are indeed curved, and whether you can easily get your roller bag up depends on its size. We usually put our larger suitcases in the units at the end of each car, locking them to the side bar--more to keep someone from taking them by mistake than worry about theft.
Feb 21st, 2011, 11:02 AM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do you mean that you leave your bag on the first level even though you are sitting upstairs? That would be great if that is an option. I assumed it wouldn't be safe, but you are right Underhill - I could lock it to a bar if one is available.
Feb 21st, 2011, 12:06 PM
#5
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>>Do you mean that you leave your bag on the first level even though you are sitting upstairs?<<<
Yep. - but be one of the first passengers on the train - which, I assumes, will be easy since it originates in Paris.
Stu Dudley
Yep. - but be one of the first passengers on the train - which, I assumes, will be easy since it originates in Paris.
Stu Dudley
Feb 21st, 2011, 12:13 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are not these bi-level trains upper and lower - meaning you either go down stairs to get to the lower level or up stairs to the upper level? Are not stairs involved with each? Curious as I have not yet ridden the TGV Duplex trains but have seen other duplex trains and the lower level is sunk below platform level at times.
Feb 21st, 2011, 12:28 PM
#7
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you can relax while your suitcase is downstairs (locked to the bar or no), then fine. Otherwise bump it up with you.
FWIW, I've never found getting the suitcase up to be a problem. There's no need to rush, you have a reserved seat. It's more stressful (IMO) getting your suitcase back down - others passengers are trying to the same, usually at about the same time, you have only moments to get yourself and your luggage off the train, etc.
That said, the view is usually worth it. Whenever I'm on a doubledecker train, I try to sit on the upper level.
FWIW, I've never found getting the suitcase up to be a problem. There's no need to rush, you have a reserved seat. It's more stressful (IMO) getting your suitcase back down - others passengers are trying to the same, usually at about the same time, you have only moments to get yourself and your luggage off the train, etc.
That said, the view is usually worth it. Whenever I'm on a doubledecker train, I try to sit on the upper level.
Feb 21st, 2011, 12:38 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well it obviously has a lot to do with how heavy the bag is and you may have to hoist it into an overhead level luggage rack - though usually someone will help someone in need - ditto for getting it up the stairs. Chivalry is not dead in France.
Feb 21st, 2011, 12:54 PM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Boarding early is a good idea; however, it's been my experience that as soon as the platform is announced, it's a free for all. Everyone rushes to the designated platform and their assigned car and, even if you're fleet of foot, which I am, it can still be a bit of a hassle getting your luggage stored. The downstairs spaces fill up very quickly. Although this may entirely depend on how crowded the train is. Someone may well offer to help you if it looks like you're having problems. If your bag can easily fit into the overhead and you can manage, I'd take it to the upper level.
Feb 21st, 2011, 01:09 PM
#10
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>>If your bag can easily fit into the overhead and you can manage, I'd take it to the upper level.<<
If not, by then it's too late to carry your bag and walk against the "flow" of people and go downstairs to stow your bag. I would put the bag downstairs if there is room available. There may only be 1 stop on your TGV (Lyon) before Avignon. If you can't chain your bag because there are already too many bags on the storage shelves, when you approach the Lyon station, head downstairs to keep an eye on your bag as the others depart.
Stu Dudley
If not, by then it's too late to carry your bag and walk against the "flow" of people and go downstairs to stow your bag. I would put the bag downstairs if there is room available. There may only be 1 stop on your TGV (Lyon) before Avignon. If you can't chain your bag because there are already too many bags on the storage shelves, when you approach the Lyon station, head downstairs to keep an eye on your bag as the others depart.
Stu Dudley
Feb 21st, 2011, 06:07 PM
#11
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The lower level still requires a few steps up from the platform, but once you have entered the train, there are no stairs to the lower level. Just go through the door. Both to and from Avignon this past June, we left all three of our larger bags in the luggage shelves of the lower compartment and then walked upstairs with our carry-ons to the haute compartment. No problem, but you must be aggressive in getting onto the train to find the room. When the platform is announced, it is a sprint down to the train. If you are on a PREM 1st class fare, it seemed like these cars were the furthest walk away (both directions.) I had no concerns about leaving the luggage on the lower level as there are no stops between Paris and Avignon. FOFObt is correct -- you need to head down the stairs somewhat early to position yourself to get your bags off the train. People will be standing in the stairwell. I sent my DH down to man the first floor car and be in charge of luggage handling, while DD and I were responsible for all carry-ons and getting down from upper floor.
Feb 22nd, 2011, 12:46 AM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On double-decker ("duplex") TGVs, there are stairs down to the lower level and stairs up to the upper level. The train doors are between the two levels. If you walk through the train to go to the bar, you walk along the upper level.
There are no overhead luggage racks, for the obvious reason that there is no room - the ceilings are lower than on an ordinary train. There are luggage racks between the seats and near the stairs.
There are no overhead luggage racks, for the obvious reason that there is no room - the ceilings are lower than on an ordinary train. There are luggage racks between the seats and near the stairs.
Feb 22nd, 2011, 02:28 AM
#14
If you get to the station early enough you can seek out the printed departure posters which will usually list which platform your train departs from. This is always subject to change but as a general rule you can rely on these for the most part as they are updated monthly.
Yes, you can easily leave a bag on the level below your own. We have often done so and more often than not did not secure the bags in any way. Perhaps we have been lucky but have never had a problem with luggage theft.
Yes, you can easily leave a bag on the level below your own. We have often done so and more often than not did not secure the bags in any way. Perhaps we have been lucky but have never had a problem with luggage theft.
Jun 1st, 2011, 01:29 PM
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am back from my trip and wanted to let folks know how I managed my bags on the train. First, I am very grateful to those who pointed out that there wouldn't be much time to get on and off the train. Wow! That was certainly true! In Avignon,the train paused only a couple of minutes before taking off again. Other passengers started getting out of their seats and heading toward the exits 5 or so minutes before arrival at the destination, and I was really glad I knew to do it too. It was also true that there was a rush to board, and I would have been left behind had I not been ready. I would warn others to be really careful that you are getting on the right train. Some Americans with whom I had been visiting at the station in Avignon boarded the local train to Paris by mistake. The faster TGV, on which they were ticketed, arrived some minutes later. If you don't speak French, it is hard to understand the announcements made over the loudspeaker, and there are no personnel there to help. You need to read the posting on the side of the train to be sure it matches your train number. As for my bags - I carried them up the stairs to the second level where I had reserved my seat. The stairs weren't very long. There were luggage storage areas on the second level as well as the first. My big bag would not fit in the the overhead, and the luggage storage became very crowded. So getting on the train as soon as possible is important. All in all, I found boarding and deboarding the train a little traumatic - it is not for the slow or the faint of heart - but I was grateful for the information provided by Fodorites which had me well prepared.
Jun 30th, 2011, 08:52 PM
#19
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You probably don't need to lock your bags. We took 4 trips by TGV in France, and we locked our bags only on the first train, which departed from Paris. Since we were on the train for several minutes before it departed, someone could possibly grab a bag and run, and I did not want to risk losing my carefully packed suitcase at the beginning of the trip.
We used cable locks like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003F7524O and locked the suitcases to the metal bars on the shelf.
Then I discovered the racks in the middle of the car, which are more visible from the seats, so I used those.
On our first class segment, there was lots of luggage space and I could see our suitcases at all times.
We used cable locks like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003F7524O and locked the suitcases to the metal bars on the shelf.
Then I discovered the racks in the middle of the car, which are more visible from the seats, so I used those.
On our first class segment, there was lots of luggage space and I could see our suitcases at all times.
Jul 2nd, 2011, 03:26 PM
#20
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
is it really hard to hop off the train if you have a lot of luggage? i am travelingg for three weeks and i will have a least a 35 Inch bag and a 21" carry on. it is just lil o' me and I don't know if it will be too difficult to manevour all. i don't speak french, i am not familiar with the trains stops and i have got a good amount of luggage. are these trains really equipped to hold a lot of luggage? i would book first class. am i better off flying?
