Time To Load Luggage on European Trains?
 

I am traveling with my parents this summer. Though able bodied, they are in their mid 70's. We're traveling by train from Basel Switzerland to Strassbourg France. Each of us will have one large suitcase. My obsessive side is concerned about getting all that luggage on plus each us before the train leaves. I'm also concerned about getting everyone off in Strassbourg. As I recall unless it's an end point, the trains don't stop for long. I hope I'm needlessly worrying?????

chevre - I traveled by train with my family from Paris to Switzerland, to Florence to Rome.

My dh is the WORST packer - he has a MASSIVE suitcase - it was not an easy load and it did create stress, the four of us had about 8 bags plus total. Ugh. We were amusing and annoying to many I am sure.

Having said that - we did it. I definately was aware of when our stop was coming and started moving my crew towards the exit with the bags at that time - that helped a lot.

You'll have time to get your luggage loaded onto the train. Sometimes there are four of us traveling together and each of us has at least one bag and sometimes two. I always set my suitcase up onto the train first, then I step up. We have had the conductor blow the whistle and point the the door, but the train will not move with someone boarding.

Just concentrate on getting on the train, not so much the correct car, etc. You can change cars while on the train. I have wasted time running along the train looking for the car number. Check the train posters and get in the approx. position for the correct car. If one person gets up on the train the others can pass the luggage up and then hop on quickly.

I walk to the exit one stop or just before the train arrives at my station, collect the luggage and hop off.

The hourly Regional Express trains commence in Basel SNCF and end in Strasbourg. So you will not have to worry at either point.

Taking TGV instead is a waste of money since it will save you just 8 or 9 minutes.

No worries. The train won't depart as long as people are still busy at the doors. The conductors are watching whether the doors are clear before they close them. If people don't cope with their luggage they'll come and help.

Be at the door with your luggage before the train enters the station at Strasbourg, don't stay in your seats until it actually stops. That's the only crucial point.

If the train you're riding from Basel to Strasbourg starts in Basel (as noted above), then you will have more than enough time...you can probably board the train at least 20 minutes in advance.

In Strasbourg, don't worry, the train won't leave while you're still unloading, although that's no excuse to dawdle.

I once took a train from Basel to Brussels carrying a 27" suitcase and four other not small bags (I had been working there for a while and was heading home with all the loot I'd bought at the January sales--clothes, bedlinens, towels, schnapps glasses, etc.). I was able to heave them and myself up onto the train in less than 2 minutes.

You shouldn't have any problems. If you are traveling first class, fyi, you can probably store your carryon bags in the space between the seatbacks (on trains with one row facing one way and the following row facing the opposite way, there's a nice gap that's perfect for stashing wheelie carryon bags).

I'm 72, and I wouldn't dream of using a large suitcase. I can easily spend a month in Europe with a 22" carry-on size. In fact, I've spent as much as 9 weeks in Europe with just that one little suitcase, though I did carry a small over-the-shoulder bag for my electronics and liquids.

Though I have found people very willing to help me get my suitcase on and off the train (because I have gray hair, I think), I don't want to handicap myself by trying to heft a large suitcase. It's not always easy to find a place for my suitcase and it's difficult ro lift it to put on an overhead rack.

I know this doesn't respond to your question, but you might consider smaller suitcases, which are easier to handle and to get on and off trains.

To clarify: people traveling in a group should designate one person to get off before the luggage, and assist the remaining travelers with unloading it from the train. Same with embarking: one person boards first, the others pass their gear to him or her, then everyone else gets on and stashes their stuff.

at your destination, just make sure you are at the door (or in the queue at the door) before the train stops.

What I really *love* are tourists who block the door with all their belongings 10 minutes before arrival, only to discover that they have no clue how to open the door.

When you need help, don't be shy to ask other passengers to help you with the luggage.
The are thousands of elderly people traveling on their own by train - and you will always find someone willing to lift your luggage from the car to the platform.

Yes, some of the doors don't open the way you think they should, such as at all sometimes. In Rapallo last year we were ready to disembark and the door would not open, a few people tried and then we all had to abandon it and run to the other end of the car. A conductor on the train at that door shrugged and said "no that one doesn't open from the inside, it is 'not fixed'".

Your time will be distinctly limited. You need to be standing at the right spot when the train pulls in. As soon as people exit you need to begin loading the baggage.

The best system with several people and pieces of luggage is an assenbly line - rather than each person dealing with their own luggage up the stairs. Have the first person hand the luggage to the person on the stairs (the strongest) who lifts it up to the person in the train who pushes it behind them to the 4th person who pushes it further down the aisle.

Make sure each person can easily move each piece of luggage. Do NOT take any luggage that is enormous or heavy - or you will definitely regret it.

And at least one of you needs to be able to lift the suitcases overhead -- in case they must go on the overhead rack.

Better to bring smaller suitcases.

It would be much better if &quot;<i>Each of us will have one SMALL suitcase</i>&quot;

4 large suitcases plus assorted carry-ons/handbags will be a HUGE hassle. And not just when getting on/off the train.

You might like to check out www.onebag.com