My wife and I will be traveling by train from Zurich to Milan to Florence to Rome in September, and I have a very basic logistical question as I have never been on a train in Europe. How is our luggage handled? Do we check it as we woould on a plane, or do we travel with it as carry ons? Please advise. Thanks

Carry-ons - railways have pretty much done away with checked luggage, which was common not long ago - Switzerland is about the only country with a comprehensive checked rail luggage scheme. You could send it via UPS, etc. but at a huge cost.

Carry it with you - ample help in luggage carts and ample room to store it aboard.

Porters in Italy but not many other countries unless researved in advance.

And i guess beware the rumoured 'fake porters' in Italy offering to help with bags - you may never see them nor your bags again.

First class has more luggage room. There's a shelf above your seat, some space behind your seat (not in all situations) and then space between the cars. Be sure your luggage is in sight. Pack light so it doesn't kill you to lift the bags onto and off of the train and the overhead storage.

Be sure and put your luggage close to you and in sight,overhead and across from you is good. Some of the storage racks are by the door and if you sit somewhere else your luggage may go out the door without you. You will want to travel with only luggage you can manage easily by yourself. You may encounter quite a few stairs in some railstations. Enjoy your trip!!!!

violetduck, we carry a lightweight bicycle cable and lock our bags to the shelf. So no worry about anybody taking it. That said, I don't think anyone ever tried.

Good to know you are already a wise traveler. Have fun!!!!

There are porters at train stations in Italy, not just guys with fake badges?

My husband and I just returned from our trip. We trained from Lucca to Rapallo (a change in Viareggo) and from Rapallo to Milan. We had first class tickets on both trains.The first train had seats within a compartment (6)with space overhead for luggage. This was a little crowded, but the ride was only 1 and 1/2 hrs. The train to Milan was also lst class and these were 2 seats together (or 2 across) with overhead space.We traveled with a 20 inch roll-along each and a shoulder carry-on each. More than this amount would have been difficult for us to manage up the steps of the train and to lift. The smaller stations did not have escalators.However, plan accordingly and train travel is great.

Thanks for all of the info. I will be sure to pack light and travel safe. Thanks