FAQ Night Train: How much luggage can I take with me?

Only take as much as you can carry yourself

In contrast to aeroplanes, there are no limits on luggage on almost all night trains apart from this rule. Nevertheless, we recommend travelling light: Luggage storage space on night trains is limited, especially in couchettes and seating coaches.

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Passages must remain clear for safety reasons. Although we have never personally experienced it, the train crew may decide that not all luggage can be transported. Pack less accordingly and avoid unpleasant situations from the outset. When booking, also check whether there are any additional restrictions for taking luggage on your night train.

Divide your luggage into several pieces

Experience has shown that it's worth splitting up your luggage:

A larger bag or suitcase with things you won't need during the journey. This way, you can store this luggage outside your compartment if needed.
A piece of hand luggage in which you pack your travelling items for the journey. A small rucksack works well here, as your hands are free when carrying it.
It's best to stow your valuables in a small bag you always keep on your person — for example, a bum bag. See also our blog post on safety on night trains.

See our packing list for your night train journey.

Beware of flying suitcases

Make sure your luggage is well stowed away. You and your fellow travelers don't want to be woken up by suitcases flying around. Straps and nets are often available for this purpose. Physics also helps: place heavy luggage items against the wall opposite the direction of travel so that they are pressed into the wall during braking manoeuvres.

Label your luggage. Your luggage may get lost or damaged en route. If this happens, report it to the train crew. Liability for lost or damaged luggage varies depending on the railway operator. Find out about the conditions in advance. If necessary, make sure that your private insurance covers your luggage.

A relaxed method of transporting your luggage is to ship it separately.

Oversized luggage

Oversized luggage such as sports equipment (e.g. skis or snowboards) or musical instruments often have to be packed in special trasport bags and fit into the normal storage space. The author of this blog has also had to look for a place for his skis for some time... Bicycles are a special case, see our blog post here.

This blog post is part of our «FAQ Night Train» series. Here, you'll find all the valuable tips and tricks we've collected on many night train journeys.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write us an e-mail at info@nightride.com.