Train Travel
 

We are a family of 4 (children 9 & 12) and we are moving about quite a bit. Rome airport to Naples for 2 nights to Sorrento for 2 nights, back to Rome for 3 nights, then to Umbria. How realistic is it to expect that we can travel with our luggage and not get pickpocketed? We will be obvious tourists and the children may be distracting us. Thanks for your advice and experience.

If everything valuable is in a moneybelt inside your clothes, you won't get pickpocketed. It doesn't have much to do with the rest of your scenario.

I wouldn't worry much about it. The thing you have to remember is to take those extra few seconds to zip your purse/bag all the way, sling it across your body, etc. If you get cash out of an ATM, take the extra few seconds to secure the cash, rather than shoving it in your pocket because the kids are bored.

It's the train I'm most worried about, since we'll have luggage, not so much the touring and sightseeing part.

Listen to me carefully: Pack no suitcase larger than 22 inches. Our family of 5 used 5 22 inch suitcases. (We have three Samsonite ones that can hold a lot!) If you use a 22 inch bag, you can put them either behind your seat on the train, or on the overhead shelf. They won't have to leave your sight. My husband tried to help quite a few others lift their huge suitcases onto the overhead shelf, but the larger ones flat out didn't fit. Everyone in my family was very glad that we used only 22 inch bags.

Use common sense and you'll be fine. If your in close proximity of people, like on a packed train or bus be sure you don't have a packpack on or a wallet in your backpocket.

Hi CS,

>...It's the train I'm most worried about, since we'll have luggage, ...<

Before my first Italian visit, I read a lot of stuff about chaining luggage to the racks with bicycle cables, etc.

The only time anyone can steal your suitcase is when the train is stopped at a station.

All you have to do is walk to the luggage racks and make sure that no one accidentaly takes the wrong suitcase.

Would you care to buy an unused bicycle cable?

((I))

Thanks

We hear occasional stories about pickpockets lifting wallets or purses in crowed buses or on the street, but I don't ever recall hearing of anybody having a suitcase lifted, on a train or other wise. If there are stories out there this forum would certainly hear about them.

If you lock your luggage on the train, just don't forget your combo or misplace the key as you pull into your destination. I'd hate to see the train pull out on it's onward journey as you fumble to unlock your bags.

Many trains I've ridden in Europe have closed 6 person compartments, with TINY overhead racks. A 22" rollerboard placed sideways may fit, but there's only room for 2 on each side of the compartment (for 6 seats).

You'll need to be placing your bags at the luggage area at the end of the car, not insisting on squeezing them into your compartment or seating area.

I think Ira has the best advice.

Tell your children ahead of time that when you are in train stations and at the airport, you need their complete cooperation. They should be told to walk, not run, ahead of you so they are right within your sight, and if you are waiting at a station, they have to stay with you at all times.

It helps to get to the station in plenty of time to catch your train, and not to rush leaving the train or the station. Go slowly collecting your bags and disembarking the train. Wait for others to go first to avoid being in a crush of passengers.

Promise your kids if they help you by strictly observing these disciplines during the short windows you are inside busy transportation hubs, they will be rewarded with more freedom at other times during the trip to do what they want.

Travel light and secure your money, is great advice. If everyone has no more than a 22 inch suitcase and a bag you should be fine.

nessundorma must have kids-- good advice to put them on the alert. They are old enough to be your lookouts and lend a hand with watching stuff. They'll probably enjoy the responsibility.
Recently taking trains through Italy, I, too, wondered about how easy it would be for thieves to take luggage off a train when it stops, and the owners would never know. It's just not possible to keep jumping up and checking your bag is still there, though. So I had to stop worrying and hope for the best! No incidents to report, luckily. Except I brought a bag that was too heavy and fat!
The trains where you have a small compartment for bags to be placed overhead are safer, but a challenge is your bag is the slightest bit overweight. Like mine was! Just be aware of your surroundings, get there early, and you'll be fine. Bon Voyage!

I was less concerned about the baggage being stolen than it being distracting so that we could lose $$ or passports. Sounds like good advice all around to keep smaller suitcases.

csabia,

Your concern is valid. The only time I or anyone I know has been "pickpocketed" was in a train station----in Switzerland of all places. We (a group of adults, going hiking together) had just arrived in Zürich and were catching a train to the mountains. We each had a rolling bag, etc., and my friend was robbed as she got on the train. Putting it together afterwards, we remembered a guy dressed in an "offical" looking manner, who partially blocked the aisle and acted like he was checking for something. He must have grabbed her wallet, which she unwisely had in a top-zip belt pouch, as she squeezed past. She lost 500 CHF.

Another woman in the group had her "supplies" stolen from an outside pocket in her luggage---I'll bet someone was disappointed with that loot.

Nessundorma's advice is very good: don't scare your kids, but impress on them that they need to be "all business" around the train station. Make sure all your valuables (money, passports, etc.) are secured before you get to the train station, and don't access them while there. If the kids need to buy drinks, etc., at a kiosk, have a bit of money out ahead of time for this purpose. Make sure they stay close to you at all times, and that they understand your need to pay attention to what's going on around you, not (for a short time) to them. Plan ahead so you're not rushed.

Just to reassure you, I have since traveled there a number of times since the incident I mentioned, always with kids (teens), and never had a problem. But we impressed "the rules" upon them. They went along with those rules quite cheerfully, and we all had a great time. So will you.

My mom's wallet was taken at the Rome train station but, she did not have her bag zipped. I would definitely keep it hanging (in a purse or money wallet) on me at all times.
In train stations, especially Rome and Naples, never let anyone help you with your bags. I think this may have been when my mom's wallet was taken.