Is our luggage safe on the train? We are taking the train from Rome to Florence and then from Chiusi to Rome. I do not seem to be able to find a thread on this topic. Many thanks,
Linda
Posts: 236 | Location: Toronto | Registered: 19 April 2006
Just make sure you do not leave it unattended. You have room for the luggage on the overhead racks and, on ES trains, between the backs of the seats. Make sure you don't bring big bags and keep the luggage there. Although I always travel by train (not being able to drive), the only accident I ever had has been when I accidentally forgot my backpack on the train on getting off it. In one minute sharp it was gone. But in no other case my stuff was threatened.
Pack in bags that are small enough for the overhead racks, AND light enough to be lifted overhead. Also remember that you have to lift your bags up to the train from the platform. I would not feel comfortable leaving bags in the storage areas at the ends of the cars, tho I have read threads where people have used bike locks/chains for that purpose.
I always carry a retractable combination lock that is specifically designed for luggage. I pull the steel cord out of the receptacle and thread it through the handles of my luggage and around one of the poles at the baggage area in my train car. If someone wanted to take a piece of my luggage they'd have to take at least two pieces at the same time and saw through the luggage rack pole. Did this on a trip from Rome to Milan. Had lunch in the dining car with no worries. Got the gear in a travel department in a department store.
My daughter and I are unable to get our rollies into the overhead luggage shelves on the trains. Even on the regional train we were able to fit them between the seats. Your luggage has to be really light and you have to be tall to easily get anything into the overhead shelf. We can lift our rollies onto the paltform and up the steps, one step at a time, but jsut not over our heads.
If you thought ahead, one could leave their luggage at the bin at the end of the car and secure it to one3 of the bin side with a bicycle lock.
Posts: 3750 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
You'll be fine. Every single train trip I took in Europe I put my backpack either in a luggage rack or in a nearby seat and promptly fell asleep. Noone nicked it. I would have dared them to try to run away with my 25kg backpack.
In fact, if they had really wanted to steal my smelly, second-hand clothes they would have been welcome to them. I could have bought new ones with my insurance pay out.
We had no trouble getting our suitceases in the racks above our seats. We also used the luggage racks by the doors of the car and had no trouble with that.
Jerry
The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. ~G.K. Chesterton
I would never lose sight of my bags. Although not in Italy, I have had experience with fellow travelers having soft bags cut into and contents taken, so even locking them down doesn't always work.
Posts: 533 | Location: Northern Virginia | Registered: 22 May 2006
If you are not circa six feet and muscular, it is quite tough to lift a heavy suitcase and place it on the overhead rack.
We leave suitcases in the racks provided at the entrance to the car and, because we have two suitcases, we lock them together using one of those locks with a flexible extension and also make sure to include in the loop one of the shelves or bars of the rack.
An alternative is to consider that if you can't lift your luggage over your head you have overpacked, and therefore remove anything that's not necessary.
Thank you all. Not being six feet tall, nor strong enough to lift the luggage and not being able to remove unnecessary things - can't throw away the Chianti, ceramics, leather goods, etc. that will be reminders of our trip - we are hoping to be able to get our luggage on the luggage racks and thread our a bicycle steel cable lock through the handles and around the luggage rack pole. Thanks again!
Posts: 236 | Location: Toronto | Registered: 19 April 2006
Originally posted by bellisimaintoronto: we are hoping to be able to get our luggage on the luggage racks and thread our a bicycle steel cable lock through the handles and around the luggage rack pole. Thanks again!
