Where do you store your luggage in Dutch intercity trains?
I'll be travelling from Amsterdam airport to Rotterdam and I was wondering where do you actually store your luggage in these trains? The only experience I have with trains in Europe was with TGV's but since they cover a large distance, there were luggage racks present in the train.
I've never really took local trains in Europe before and certainly not in the Netherlands so although it may sound like a very basic questions, I would still like to know if anybody here has traveled in these Dutch intercity trains before and can advice me where I can put my large 30kg suitcase that I'll be travelling with? Are there any sort of luggage racks in the back of the coach like in TGV's?
Would it be a better idea to purchase tickets in the first class to avoid rush and get space to store my stuff?
Best Answer
There are basically two types of intercity train in The Netherlands: Single and Double deck.
The Single deck type has overhead luggage racks, these may be big enough to fit your suitcase. Intercity Direct (running between Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Brussels) also has luggage racks near the entrance of the carriage.
The Double deck type has small overhead bins on the lower floor only, but these won't be big enough for a 30 kg suitcase. Some Double deck trains have seats in the entrance hallway, either foldable or full size. If you sit here, you won't have to haul your luggage through the narrow gangway, and up or down the stairs.
In both Single and Double deck types, it may be possible to store luggage between seats, but it depends on the seat configuration. Seats positioned back to back will have room between them.
Trains between Amsterdam and Rotterdam can be crowded, and leaving your luggage in the aisle, or worse, on seats, will not make you very popular.
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Where do I put my luggage in a train?
You take your bags into the train with you and put them on the rack above your seat, or in the space between the seat backs, or on floor-standing racks at the car ends or in the seating area. On local & regional trains you usually just stick bags on the floor.Can I take my luggage in train?
Trunks, suitcase and boxes having outside measurement of 100 cms. x 60 cms x 25 cms (length x breadth x height) will be allowed to be carried in the passenger compartments as personal luggage.Can you bring luggage Deutsche Bahn?
You can take items such as briefcases, laptops, rucksacks, trolley bags or suitcases on board for no extra charge. As well as your hand luggage, you can take also a larger item of luggage with you. Such items of luggage must be not be so big or heavy that they cannot be carried by a single person.How much luggage can I take on a train?
As per the new guidelines, a sleeper-class passenger can carry luggage upto 40kgs and will not have to pay extra. Likewise, passengers travelling in second-class are allowed to carry luggage upto 35kgs. To carry extra luggage upto 70-80 kgs, passengers will now have to book their luggage and pay extra.Where to Store Luggage When Traveling in Europe
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Answer 2
It depends on the train type, but usually it is allowed to bring your baggage with you, and keep it near your sit. You will occupy some extra seats, but often it is not a problem (and if it is very crowded, just put the baggage in the aisle, the people will probably standing in aisle).
Schiphol to Rotterdam is a short travel, and just few stops (if any).
I never used first class, but there you will have some more place. Just if the train is crowded, it will be difficult to find the right wagon.
Alternatively, you may choose the Thalys (an high speed train, similar to TGV). The reservation is like TGV (or flights). Personally for such short travel, I would choose the first train to Rotterdam, without booking a specific train in advance (this will just add stress in case of delays).
Answer 3
There are no dedicated luggage areas in Dutch intercity trains.
Some trains have seats which are back to back and you can store your luggage between the seat backs.
Some have a bit of space with the seat(s) at the end of the carriage.
But in most you are restricted to the racks above the seats, which have very little space in double decker trains and not a lot in single level ones.
You can bring you luggage into the area with the seats but if at all possible do not leave it in the aisle, as that will block people passing.
An other No is leaving your cases near the door and sit somewhere else as some luggage thieves are around.
There are often some seat with more space near the doors.
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