Luggage on European Trains: What to Know

Most European trains have three storage options. The overhead racks above the seats fit small to medium bags. Under-seat space works for smaller bags and handbags. For larger suitcases, use the open luggage stacks near the doors at each end of the carriage. On busy services like TGV and Eurostar, these stacks fill up quickly, so board early if you have a large bag.

Eurostar enforces its rules, but unevenly. On London routes, bags must be no wider than 85cm at any point; on Continental routes the limit is 75 x 53 x 30cm per bag. In practice, a bag slightly over rarely causes problems, but an oversized trolley case may not fit through the security system at all. Eurostar has airport-style security screening before boarding, so all bags are physically checked. The non-compliance fee on Continental routes is EUR 30 per bag.

It depends on the service. On most mainstream intercity trains, including ICE in Germany, Trenitalia in Italy, OBB in Austria, and regional services across Europe, there is no strict size limit. You bring what you can carry and store yourself. Eurostar sets a limit of 85cm at the widest point (London routes) or 75 x 53 x 30cm (Continental routes). TGV INOUI allows suitcases up to 70 x 90 x 50cm. Budget operators Avlo and OUIGO Spain have airline-style limits of one cabin bag (55 x 35 x 25cm) and one small handbag. If your service is not listed, check the operator's website before you travel.

Yes. Eurostar has no checked baggage, so you carry everything through the departure lounge and onto the train. All passengers go through airport-style security screening before boarding, so your bags are screened but remain with you throughout the journey. A separate registered baggage service exists for London, Paris, and Brussels routes, where bags travel independently for a fee of roughly GBP 15-30 per item. Check eurostar.com for availability and current pricing.

Yes, on almost every European train. Most intercity and high-speed services have no formal luggage limit. You store bags in the overhead racks, under your seat, or in the luggage areas at the ends of carriages. Budget services such as Avlo and OUIGO Spain are the exception; they apply airline-style limits and charge for bags that exceed the included allowance. If you are travelling on one of these services, check the allowance before booking.

Luggage theft on European trains is rare, but it does happen. The highest-risk moment is at station stops, when someone can grab a bag from the end-of-carriage stack and step off. Keep valuables such as your passport, phone, laptop, and wallet in a bag that stays with you at your seat. On overnight trains, loop a strap through a fixed bar or use a cable lock before sleeping. The Paris-Nice corridor is flagged more often than others by travellers and local police; on quieter domestic routes the risk is low.

Most major stations have left luggage offices or automated lockers, but they are not universal. At smaller stations there may be nothing at all. At busy summer stations such as Paris Gare du Nord, Rome Termini, and Amsterdam Centraal, lockers fill up during peak hours. Official lockers at Paris Gare du Nord typically cost EUR 5-8 per bag per day; at London St Pancras, left luggage runs around GBP 6-12 per item per day. Apps such as Nannybag and Bounce offer bookable storage at nearby shops and hotels, usually at lower rates. Book in advance if you are arriving at a busy station in summer.