Luggage on trains in Italy: what to check before you go

Start with the operator on your ticket

There is no single suitcase rule to apply to every journey in Italy. Check the train company, service and travel class for each leg. A connecting regional train may have a different layout from your first train.

Measure your case before choosing a ticket if it is unusually large. Make sure you can lift and move it yourself. An allowance tells you what is accepted; it does not tell you how easy several bags will be to handle.

• Trenitalia regional trains: hand luggage must go in the designated spaces without obstructing passengers or railway staff. Check Trenitalia’s regional travel guidance for the rules that apply to this service.
• Italo Smart: the published size limit is 75 × 53 × 30 cm. Italo lists different luggage spaces by bag size and larger-bag options in other classes. Read Italo’s luggage policy before booking.
• Other services: check the operator’s rules for the exact ticket. Do not carry the regional guidance above over to every high-speed or international train.

Keep the trip manageable

Once aboard, use the space intended for your bag and follow staff instructions. Keep doors and aisles clear. Put your phone, tickets, medicine and valuables in a small bag that stays with you.

Before leaving home, try moving everything at once: suitcase, day bag and any extra purchases. If that already takes two trips across the room, reconsider the load before adding a train change.

Label your luggage so it is easy to identify. Before your stop, check where every item is and gather the smaller things. Leave yourself room to get off without rushing another passenger.

Plan the changes, not just the long ride

A comfortable seat does not solve the walk between platforms or the trip from the final station to your accommodation. Check the station’s accessibility information if you need access without steps, and ask the operator about assistance in advance.

For Lake Como, choose your arrival town around where you are staying. Our Milan airports to Lake Como guide covers route planning. If your room is not ready, agree a luggage handover with your hotel before arrival.

Carry it all, or send the case you do not need?

Carry it: a manageable suitcase is the straightforward option when you need its contents every day. You keep your belongings with you and avoid coordinating another handover.

Leave it with your hotel: ask whether the property can accept the bag and when you can collect it. This works best when you will return there. Do not assume another hotel will accept luggage without an agreement.

Ship it ahead or home: consider this for bags you can travel without. Bag It Home arranges carrier shipping from Italy and abroad. The quote depends on the route, bag size and weight. Confirm the pickup date, delivery estimate and receiving address before making plans around it.

Carrier shipping is not an immediate transfer between stations. Keep essentials with you, and check packing instructions for the chosen service. Bags shipping outside the EU need a box. For a local day on Lake Como, BagMeHome pickup and delivery is a separate option.

Questions before you travel