Hi-We are currently trying to figure out what kind of luggage to purchase for our upcoming trip to Europe in Sept. Does anyone know how big the typical locker is in a train station? Will it accomodate bags larger than 26"? Also, since we are not experienced train travelers, any recommendations for luggage will be easy to store and maneuver on the train itself? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!<BR><BR>

Which cities/stations are you asking about? Many do not have lockers. Instead, they often have a room or office where you leave your bags with an attendant. Like the check room in a restaurant only much larger. Some do have actual lockers, but to give you accurate information, we need to know where you are planning to visit?

Just FYI,<BR>We left bags in a locker once, and it didn't work out so well. When we opened them later, they had been infested with ants! Our first and last time...<BR>

Rothenburg, Munich, Luzern, Montreux, Venice

The only one of those I know about for sure is St Lucia station in Venice. There are two different "left luggage" places - maybe more. One is for luggage you are checking for a rail journey - like checking luggage before you board a flight. And one is for just leaving bags you don't want to lug around. There are no lockers.<BR>

<BR>The small lockers which are the most plentiful and are found in most countries are 30" deep with an opening that is 10" wide by 24" high. The 10" dimension widens inside to 15". This is big enough for a carry-on bag plus your brief case or large purse. <BR>Major train stations also have one or two larger sizes.<BR>Pack light. Don't be a burro.<BR>For more about travel by rail see www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap17/rail.htm<BR>

Are you actually taking bags larger than 26 inches?

Not sure yet...still trying to figure out what is the best way to go. Can we fit everything between a large daypack and a wheeled backpack/daypack between 2 people?

We have used lockers everywhere in Europe including Eastern Europe. We have never had a problem. We always allow enough time and usually check out the train station early. My husband and I have travelled for as long as three weeks with just two small carry ons and a makeup case. The best suitcase I ever purchased was the one that you can expand about two inches with zippers. This way I can bring home extra "stuff".

if the station has a locker, then it will usually also have an attendant (but the attendant section usually costs a few dollars more and has more limited hours of operation). You can leave any size bag with the attendant. i once left an 80 pound huge monster of a bag with attendants all over italy. sometimes the attendant complains about how heavy it is, but they will take it and keep it on a shelf behind them.