update on train luggage? How much can we fit?
 

Anyone have further updates on luggage restrictions on tgv trains in France (since previous threads)? I assume the end-of-car areas are still barricaded off due to security issue. If we have 2 smaller suitcases per person, such as 20 inch, instead of 1 big one, should we expect to fit them easily enough into the overhead rack?

We would be on train just 1 day in mid June, on a Wednesday, not a weekend; so maybe less crowded?

Are we allowed like 2 carryons per person on the tgv? Just how much baggage can we fit? I am about to book tickets, but cheap airfare tickets on Easyjet.com would be about the same price to fly instead. I did travel once before on train in France 4 years ago and somewhat hassle with big suitcases.

Well, sure, we've thought we should travel light on this trip, but this will motivate us! But we're a family of 5 on vacation and of course want to do some shopping.

Related to that, is there same amount of luggage space if you're on the tgv duplex, doubledecker? It would require driving 1.5 hours farther to Montpellier instead of Perpignan but could then book on the duplex. Tickets same price from either.

We want to drop off car in southern France and take the train back to Paris, after having been across the border in Spain. To save time, don't want to drive all that way back to Paris. And, appears to be these really cheap tickets on tgv (less than 60 days away "Prem's" 2nd class, 25 euros), which might be as cheap as car even for 5 people, with cost of gas and tolls plus 1 additional day car rental. So TGV seems the way to go, but want to doublecheck the luggage issue.

Also, anyone with advice regarding those "Prem's" train prices, please let me know asap. Thanks!

The Q should not be 'How much can we fit?' but how much can we carry? It is rare that the overhead bins on TGVs are so full that you can't squeeze in another 20" bag. Maybe I'll be contradicted on this statement by someone who had to sit on their luggage.

On EasyJet it is another story. It would be well to read their website. Luggage is severely restricted.

BTW, I don't consider 20" to be smaller suit

It's probably too early to tell what the security situation will be in June. You'd be better off with two smaller suitcases than one large one- especially if there are a few people in your group. I'd pack the two small (er) bags and add a lightweight duffle inside. Purchases can be added this way.
The smaller 20 will fit overhead- but remember to keep them light or you might have problems putting them over your head!
The tvg isn't like a plane regarding number of carry ons- you can carry on what ever you can carry on!

Computer glitsch took it away. . .

As I was about to say 20" is not a "smaller suitcase" IMO. If you are using the trains an 18" and a day bag is more than enough. But then again, if you want to haul around two 20" cases each, that is your vacation.

I'm the one who posted one of the threads last month about the luggage areas at the end of the car being closed. I can tell you the overhead racks were FULL. Many people had luggage at their feet (did not look at all comfortable) and the really big ones that couldn't fit there were in the aisle. That looked like a safety hazzard to me but I guess there was no other option. I was there in March. If the situation has not changed I would be worried that I might not be able to fit two 20" bags per person. And if I were sitting around you and couldn't get my bag up there because you had two I would be pissed. I'm not trying to be rude here really. But if you need to travel with that much luggage and you are going to have a car anyway on your trip why don't you just keep it and skip the train this time.

I posted the query. Actually I don't know measurements -- I just meant smaller carryon type, rather than large suitcase. And maybe each of us 5 would have like one of those plus a knapsack or something. They wouldn't be too heavy.

As for not keeping the car, I'm wanting to avoid such a long drive from near the Spain border to Paris, to save time and not waste a whole days worth of driving on expressway out of the 12 days there -- it would be like maybe 11 hours driving with stops. Also, my family would have fun doing the train.

As I described in my recent trip reports from the Dordogne, I took the TGV to Bordeaux, then a local train to Périgueux on March 31. The end-of-car bins were completely sealed off and the overhead racks were absolutely STUFFED with luggage. There were police on the trains as well as the usual controlleurs, and no one was allowed to sit anywhere other than directly under his/her luggage. There was no way anyone could fit more than one small suitcase up above, and no other options. People were literally left at the train station in Paris because they could not get their luggage on board.
When I took the TGV back to Paris from Avignon on Easter Sunday, there was loads of room (not surprisingly), and the way the seats were configured (four seats facing), it was possible to wedge a small bag in the triangular space between them, in addition to the overhead racks.
Bottom line: don't count on being able to fit more than one relatively small bag anywhere on the trains.

I travel by train in France
for 3 weeks every year and
take a small bag and a carry-on.
The racks above the seats are so high,
I usually just place my bag
underneath my feet on the floor.
Many times all the luggage racks are full. Invest in some travel clothes
from Travelsmith and bring
along a small bag for souvenirs.
Bon chance!

Can anyone on the forum advise if the luggage storage at the end of the train cars is still roped off?
The posts from April were the latest I found when I searched the threads.

internetexplorer-

I believe it's not roped off anymore (on TGV). A recent trip report earlier this month by a frequent poster here, StCirq, stated that the luggage areas at ends of the train car are now open. Here is a link to her trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34517919

We rode the trains last month and the ones we rode in Italy and in France are no longer roped off.

The luggage areas are open now. To maintain the "added security" that closing them afforded you are now required to put a name tag on all luggage although no one will check the nametags.

Thanks to all of you for the updated information.

I was going to say what Morgan posted -- I just took one in late July (to Angers from Paris) and they had them open but to substitute for security you had to have name tags on any luggage you left anywhere on the train (the ends or even racks, as I recall). I thought that was an unusual security measure and didn't understand how requiring a name tag on a piece of luggage ensured security, but there is the usual room now.

Now I had a small tote bag with me for a day trip and decided to put it overhead to get it out of my way, and did not have a name tag on it as I hadn't planned that--was afraid the conductor would get mad at me or something but he never even noticed it.