Railway luggage rules

Train luggage rules are more relaxed than airline rules but passengers are required to carry their own bags and board the train without assistance. Bags are stored in the luggage racks at the end of each carriage or in the overhead compartments.  

General Guidelines

The general rule is that travellers should carry one item of luggage per passenger plus one smaller item of hand luggage. Some rail operators publish more specific guidelines, but they aren't strictly enforced. 

There are some restrictions for bicycles and pets, so if you intend to travel with a particularly bulky item or animal you should do thorough research before booking any tickets. 

Labelling your luggage
Labelling your bags is mandatory on all Eurostar and French trains, so you should affix a label that includes the passenger's full name.  Paper labels can normally be found at large stations (e.g. Eurostar terminals) but we recommend purchasing something more sturdy that will last more than one trip.

Luggage by operator

  • Eurostar
  • TGV
  • ICE
  • AVE
  • Italo
  • ICE Bus
  • Ouigo
  • OBB
  • Lumo
  • Trenitalia
  • RegioJet
  • IRYO

Luggage on the Eurostar

  • Passengers with an adult ticket can take a maximum of two bags (up to 85cm long) including rucksacks, suitcases or ski equipment and one small item of hand luggage.
  • Child passengers (4-11 year olds) can travel with a maximum of one bag (up to 85cm long) and one piece of hand luggage.
  • There aren't any weight restrictions for luggage, but you must be able to carry your own bags onto the train and put them in the luggage racks, so make sure they’re not too heavy for you.
  • Pushchairs and prams can be carried in addition to your individual allowance. These need to be folded up stored in the luggage racks in your coach.
  • If you need to take more than the standard luggage allowance, or have heavy or oversized items (longer than 85cm) you can do so with Eurostar's registered luggage service, which can be arranged at the station for a fee. (This service is not available from Ebbsfleet or Ashford.)
  • If you are traveling with a musical instrument 85cm or less in length then it can travel with you onboard as part of your individual luggage allowance. Any instrument exceeding 85cm will have to travel as registered baggage or have a place reserved on board. Eurostar have a dedicated page to musical instruments with detailed information about your options. 
  • Luggage on the ski train: The Eurostar Ski Train has a special area in each carriage for large items like skis. 

Luggage on the TGV

TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS trains

The rules have changed since February 15, 2024, and a period of adaptation runs until September 15, 2024.

From now on, you will be able to travel :

Travel with suitcases: You can take up to 2 pieces of luggage per person, labelled to a maximum size of 70 x 90 x 50 cm (suitcase, large backpack, hiking bag, sports bag) and 1 piece of hand luggage labelled to a maximum size of 40 x 30 x 15 cm (backpack, shopping bag, computer bag).

Travel with special luggage: You can take up to 1 item of baggage per person, labelled to a maximum size of 70 x 90 x 50 cm (suitcase, large backpack, hiking bag, sports bag), 1 item of special baggage labelled to a maximum size of 90 x 130 cm (baby carriage, folded scooter, musical instrument in labeled case, pair of skis in labeled cover, wakeboard or snowboard in labeled cover) and 1 piece of labeled carry-on baggage, maximum dimensions 40 x 30 x 15 cm (backpack, shopping bag, computer bag).

NOTE: Failure to comply with the baggage policy on board TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS trains may result in the payment of €50 for 1 excess or non-compliant piece of luggage, €100 for 2 excess or non-compliant pieces of luggage, €150 for 3 (or more) excess or non-compliant pieces of luggage.

TGV (France - Spain)
  • Each passenger may travel with up to three pieces of luggage each 85 x 55 x 35cm max. 
  • The total weight of each item must not exceed 25kg.
  • In addition, we accept hand luggage of 46x70cm max. weighing less than 30kg e.g. skis, folded wheelchairs or prams, dismantled bikes in a bike bag 120x90cm.
  • Bags are scanned for long distance or international journeys at some major stations, Barcelona in particular. 

Luggage on the ICE

  • Each passenger may travel with up to two pieces of luggage (e.g. suitcase) plus one item of hand luggage
  • There is no specified weight limit, but passengers must be able to carry their own luggage and place it in luggage racks without assistance
  • All items of luggage must be labelled.

Luggage on the AVE

  • Luggage is considered to be any hand-carried item that does not contain items that may be a hazard or nuisance to other passengers (e.g. knives, weapons, harmful substances etc.).
  • All items of luggage must be labelled.
  • All ticketed passengers may carry up to three pieces of luggage.
  • The largest piece of luggage may not exceed 85 x 55 x 35 cm (height-width-depth).
  • The total weight of the three items of luggage may not exceed 25kg.
  • Folded baby seats and pushchairs are permitted. 
  • Musical instruments in their cases, may not exceed 30 x 120 x 38 cm (width-length-depth).
  • Folded or dismantled bicycles must be placed inside a carrying case. The sum of the dimensions may not exceed 180 cm. 
  • Only one golf bag, surfboard or pair of skis may be transported per passenger. Both golf bags and ski bags must be closed properly so that the items they contain cannot move or shift.
  • The maximum weight for sporting equipment is 30kg. 

Luggage on Italo trains

  • Passengers travelling on Smart fares must have bags under 75 x 30 x 30cm. Any piece exceeding these dimensions may not be brought on board. 
  • If there is no space for your bag in the overhead luggage rack, you'll need use the baggage areas found at the end of each carriage.
  • Please see Italo's specific information about luggage size and storage for more details. 

Luggage on DB's ICE buses

  • Luggage is limited to two pieces per passenger and may not exceed the dimensions 70 cm x 50 cm x 30 cm.. 
  • The luggage cannot be transported in the seating area.
  • Foldable buggies may be transported if enough space is available.  
  • Oversize luggage, over the dimensions given above, cannot be transported. .  

Luggage on Ouigo

  • Each passenger can bring one carry-on luggage with max. dimensions of 55cm x 35cm x 25cm that'll fit under your seat, plus a small handbag with max. dimensions of 36cm x 27cm x 15cm.
  • If you also want to add extra luggage to your ticket and fully enjoy your OUIGO experience, select the OUIGO PLUS option and add up to 30kg of luggage in addition to your handbag and cabin baggage.
  • Add the option of "Extra Baggage" from 5 Euros to 9 Euros (higher the fare higher would be the luggage supplement cost) via the website OUIGO application. The maximum luggage allowance for each passenger is 1 handbag, 1 cabin baggage and 2 large pieces of luggage (or packages, e.g. a bicycle). Remember that the luggage must be placed in the luggage racks on the deck of your seat during the journey.
  • You can add an additional piece of luggage to your booking up to 30 minutes before the train departs by logging on to the OUIGO website or application.

Luggage on OBB

    • You can carry along luggage free of charge on our trains and buses, provided that it is stowed in the luggage racks above or below your seat or in the areas provided for hand  luggage. The pieces of luggage must not exceed the maximum dimensions of 90 cm x 60 cm x 40 cm.

    • The following pieces of luggage can also be carried along free of charge if the dimensions 90 cm x 60  cm x 40 cm are exceeded:

           • Ski and hiking poles

           • Wind, string or plucked instruments

           • Wheelchairs

           • Strollers, Skis & Snowboard

    • The safety of our passengers is important to us. You are only allowed to carry along items that are allowed on trains under Austrian law and that do not present a risk to you, other passengers or our trains.

Luggage on Lumo

    • All customers can bring on board a maximum of**ONE** Small bag **OR** Holdall and **ONE **Medium suitcase (63 x 41 x 27cm).
    • Please note, luggage that exceeds these limits is carried at our discretion and you may be refused travel.  **A charge will be levied **for conveying additional items of luggage, or for excessively large or bulky items. This will not exceed half a full adult standard fare for the entire train route.
    • Luggage including golfing and winter sports items, above 63x41x27cm (max. 2ft tall) are not allowed. Electronic riding suitcases are not permitted onboard.
    • Bicycles & e-scooters are not accepted. Only foldable bikes, including foldable e-bikes, with a frame 90x68x40cm and 20" wheel, can be stored onboard.
    • Pushchairs and prams are welcomed onboard but will need to be collapsed and stored in the luggage storage areas.

Luggage on Trenitalia

    Trenitalia luggage policy does not enforce a limit on the amount of luggage a passenger can bring onboard. However, since the space to store suitcase on Trenitalia trains is limited, its recommended not to bring more luggage than you can handle on your own. Here's what else you should know : 

    • There are no specific restrictions on the number and weight of suitcases.

    • Passengers should be able to handle and lift their luggage.

    • Suitcases and bags should not block entryways and aisles.

    • On some trains there are special spaces where you can place the largest luggage.

    • The luggage must not contain smelly substances or dangerous or harmful things according to the Regulations concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by rail (RID) as well as the national laws and regulations in force such as explosive and flammable materials and objects, materials subject to spontaneous combustion, toxic, infectious, radioactive and corrosive.

Luggage on RegioJet

    • There are no specific restrictions to the weight or size of the luggage, as long as you can board with and stow your bags quickly and safely. IMPORTANT: There is no porter service at the station, hence, you should be able to manage the luggage all by yourself.
    •  Passengers must also ensure that their luggage does not affect the safe operation of the train and does not bother other passengers.
    •  If your luggage does not fit under or above your seat the train staff will be happy to place your luggage somewhere where it is not in the way.
    • Dangerous items cannot be transported as luggage.

Luggage on IRYO

If the ticket was purchased before 19 December 2023, up to three pieces of luggage are included: 2 pieces with a maximum size of 85x55x35cm and a piece of hand luggage with a maximum size of 36x27x15cm. If any change was made to the ticket after this date, (19/12/2023), the above-mentioned luggage policy is not applicable. 

Tickets purchased after this date include the following class of service for on-board luggage dimensions (width, length, and height).

Inicial :

  •        One hand luggage 
  •        One cabin luggage


    •

    Singular/ Singular only you/ Singular only you Abierta:

  •        One hand luggage 
  •        One cabin luggage        
  •       One bigger piece of luggage


    •

    Infinita Bistro/ Infinita Bistro Abierta:

  •        One hand luggage
  •        One cabin luggage
  •       One bigger piece of luggage


    •

    IRYO – Luggage size 

    Glossary of useful terms:

    Equipaje de mano - Hand luggage

    Debajo del asiento - Under the seat

    Maleta de cabina - Cabin bag

    Portaequipaje sobre asiento - Luggage rack on seat

    Maleta Grande - Large suitcase

    Compartimento especial - Special compartment